Reviewed by T. Humrushan
The Astronomical Society of Trinity College distinguished themselves by securing a commendable second place in the prestigious Hypnotic Elixir ’23, Inter-School Astronomy Competition, which was hosted by St. Sylvester’s College,Kandy.
Ten teams from across the region competed fiercely in the preliminary online selection phase, which was held in September, to advance to the semifinals for this year’s Hypnotic Elixir, held on October 6, 2023.
On the evening of October 6th, precisely at 6:30 PM, the Hypnotic Elixir ’23 competition commenced with two captivating astronomical lectures.
After dinner, Trinitians were fully immersed in their final preparations.
By 10.30 pm, it was time for the Quiz Team to shine. The team consisted of:
- Methul Dissanayake (Captain, Cosmology)
- Thusath Dissanayake (General Astronomy)
- Himaru Abeygunarathne (Astrophysics)
- Thakshala Medagama(Observational Astronomy)
- Thivaharan Humrushan (Rocketry)
Concurrently, two adept astronomers from Trinity, T. Kabisith and M. H. Hamzah, engaged in a workshop session, delving deeper into the engineering world of astronomy.
The Workshop Team from Trinity shone during this session, showcasing innovative expertise in constructing rocket models and grasping the fundamental principles of rocketry. Their skills left an indelible mark on Team Trinity.
Following the conclusion of the semifinals and the engaging workshop session, the organizers sought to assess the dramatic abilities of these budding astronomers.Centered around an intriguing theme, “What If Backbenchers Went to the Moon ?” Team TCK showcased their remarkable skills, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
As anticipation mounted, everyone awaited the final results to discover which two teams would compete in the championship round. When the host announced that the final showdown would feature Trinity College Kandy and Nalanda College Colombo, cheers erupted from the excited crowd.
Despite an intense battle spanning three challenging rounds, Trinity College, lost in the final round.
While securing second place, the ASTCK has undeniably proven their limitless potential, mirroring the boundless universe. This stimulating victory inspires future generations of Trinity astronomers, igniting their desire to explore the cosmos.