15/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 15, 2025

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Cosmic fascination evolves into unique hobby

Melanau swing makes national book of records SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) with the itut , an 18.3m traditional Melanau swing, built as a highlight of this year’s Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF). Erected at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase One by Persatuan Kebajikan Melanau Kampung Nangka members, the ride attracted 2,288 visitors, exceeding the initial target of 2,000, thanks to the favourable weather throughout the 10-day festival, which began on July 3. SMC chairman Clarence Ting received the MBOR certificate from its representative Edwin Yeoh during the closing ceremony of the 21st edition of BCF on Saturday, officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian. Sim said the festival showcased the rich diversity of Borneo’s culture, music and ethnic traditions through performances, cultural exhibitions and community-driven activities. “The public has witnessed the creativity and traditions of diverse communities, which helped strengthen unity and reinforce the Bornean identity,” he said in his speech read by State Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang. He extended appreciation to the individuals, government agencies, cultural practitioners, traders and enforcement officers involved for their commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the festival. He noted that events such as the festival not only serve as entertainment platforms, but also play a crucial role in strengthening social bonds, promoting tourism and enhancing public wellbeing. “These are key elements in building cohesive and culturally rooted communities.” He congratulated SMC and its co-organisers on what he called one of the most successful editions of BCF, expressing hope that the spirit of unity and cultural appreciation would continue to thrive in the community. The annual festival brought together more than 30 ethnic groups, featuring a diverse array of programmes, including musical performances, art exhibitions, community kitchens and traditional food bazaars. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Stargazing may seem unusual compared with pastimes such as fishing or hiking but for Muhammed Hadli Abdul Rahim, 48, watching the night sky brings a sense of peace and awe. He has spent thousands of ringgit in pursuit of witnessing the beauty beyond Earth’s atmosphere, from star clusters to distant nebulae. His fascination with the cosmos began in his school days, inspired by a deep space image captured by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995. “I saw the image and thought, masya-Allah , is this the edge of the universe? Fuelled by curiosity, I found myself at the library, reading everything I could and even started buying books on the topic. “Back then, I was interested in stargazing but could only do so with the naked eye as I could not afford a telescope,” he told Bernama. After entering the workforce, he was determined to set aside two months’ salary to pursue his dream of owning a telescope. He eventually bought his first one for RM300. Through that telescope, Muhammed Hadli caught his first glimpse of Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, an experience that deepened his fascination and spurred him to observe the night sky, eventually up to three times a month. “When I first saw (Saturn), I could hardly believe it. I called my parents over to share the excitement and they too got to witness it. It brought me a sense of satisfaction. “But the telescope did not offer clear views as it was just a basic model. After saving for another year, I was able to purchase a professional-grade one for RM3,000.” He shared that over the past five years, he has transitioned to his new passion of astrophotography, a specialised field dedicated o Stargazing leads man to astrophotography, capturing images of celestial objects

Muhammed Hadli said creating a single image often takes more than four hours, from setting up equipment and aligning with the night sky to post-processing the final shot. – BERNAMAPIC

hundreds of those images into one. The longer the exposure, the sharper the result,” he said, adding that he prefers conducting observations in paddy fields and coastal areas to avoid light pollution. He faces several challenges in the pursuit of his hobby, such as unpredictable weather and light pollution, which often disrupt his observation sessions. “There were three trips I made to Mersing in which I could not capture anything at all because the sky remained overcast the entire night. Imagine setting up all the equipment, waiting until midnight, only for the clouds to never move. The disappointment was hard to forget.” He expressed hope to stargaze abroad one day, particularly in Thailand, which is known for its dark-sky locations and stable weather conditions.

to capturing images of celestial objects. The father of four explained that the practice offers a different experience than observing the sky with the naked eye or a standard telescope. Unlike fleeting visual sightings, captured images can be studied and preserved for future reference. He said his interest in astrophotography began during the Movement Control Order when free time allowed him to explore the activity. As he began capturing phenomena such as star formation, his fascination deepened. He said creating a single image often takes more than four hours, from setting up equipment and aligning with the night sky to post-processing the final shot. “If I wanted to photograph a nebula, I would capture exposures lasting several minutes for each frame, then stack dozens or even