Introducing Astronomy Through Solar and Lunar Calendar

Lack of competence teachers to educate basic science astronomy and space science in Indonesia implies that knowledge of astronomy and space science will be transmitted to the young generation improperly. Priority in curriculum of basic science include only small amount of general astronomy and public perception that astronomy is less importance than basic science both are disadvantage for developing astronomical community in Indonesia a country with more than 230 million people. Muslim community in Indonesia has a tradition to use a lunar calendar and a tradition to determine the first day the important month Ramadhan Syawal and Dzulhijjah. Recent disputeof determining the first day of the three important month partly due to the lack of knowledge the first visibility of lunar crescent. The challenge of introducing astronomy on wider community with less background on astronomical education will be discussed in this paper