About IYA2009 http://www.astronomy2009.org/general/ 
The IYA2009 activities are taking place at global and regional levels, and especially at the national and local levels. National Nodes in each country are running activities throughout the year, aimed at establishing collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres, educators, and science communicators.
Welcome
 |
| Catherine Cesarsky IAU President |
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) launched 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) under the theme, The Universe, Yours to Discover. IYA2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the first astronomical observation through a telescope by Galileo Galilei. It will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, with a strong emphasis on education, public engagement and the involvement of young people, with events at national, regional and global levels throughout the whole of 2009. UNESCO has endorsed the IYA2009 and the United Nations proclaimed the year 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy on 20 December 2007.
Astronomy is one of the oldest fundamental sciences. It continues to make a profound impact on our culture and is a powerful expression of the human intellect. Huge progress has been made in the last few decades. One hundred years ago we barely knew of the existence of our own Milky Way. Today we know that many billions of galaxies make up our Universe and that it originated approximately 13.7 billion years ago. One hundred years ago we had no means of knowing whether there were other solar systems in the Universe. Today we know of more than 200 planets around other stars in our galaxy and we are moving towards an understanding of how life might have first appeared. One hundred years ago we studied the sky using only optical telescopes and photographic plates. Today we observe the Universe from Earth and from space, from radio waves to gamma rays, using cutting edge technology. Media and public interest in astronomy have never been higher and major discoveries are frontpage news throughout the world. The IYA2009 will meet public demand for both information and involvement.
There are outstanding opportunities for everyone to participate in the IAU IYA2009 events.
The IAU, UNESCO and our Organisational Associates wish everyone a year rich in astronomical experiences as we all celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009!
Catherine Cesarsky
IAU President
IYA2009 Update
Mar 13, 2009
100 Hours of Astronomy updates
Excitement is building with only three weeks to go until the 100 Hours of Astronomy global event kicks off! Remember to register your 100HA event on the global registry if you haven't already done so.
Sky & Telescope's 100HA article: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/40657397.html
Live webcast planned: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/program/75-live-24-hour-research-observatory-webcast
See how your country is getting on: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/component/eventlist/countriesmap
100HA posters: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/all-content#posters
New blog entries: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/blogs?view=idoblog
Global photogallery: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/photo-galleries
Official forum: http://100hoursofastronomy.org/SMF/
Planetarium shows ready to celebrate IYA2009
Three new planetarium shows are ready to entertain and educate the public! Specially produced for the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the shows are sure to delight their audiences. To learn more, go to: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/176/
Galileo: Images of the Universe from Antiquity to the Telescope
The history of astronomy in a fascinating exhibition in Florence, held to mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo's sensational discoveries. For more, go to: http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/Sezione.jsp?idSezione=109
Presentation: Astronomy highlights during IYA2009
A new Microsoft PowerPoint presentation is available, showing astronomy events occurring during 2009. Download it for free: http://www.astronomy2009.org/resources/presentations/detail/presentation_astronomy_2009/
Women in the Stars
During IYA2009, the role of women in astronomy, past and present is celebrated in the attempt to encourage females to enrol in science careers and promote gender equality. "Mujeres en las estrellas" or Women in the Stars, is a Spanish series that will outline the trajectory of female Spanish astronomers and their contributions to astronomy. Follow the link for more information (in Spanish): http://www.uned.es/bici/Curso2008-2009/090302/tvbici19.pdf
2nd Astronomy & Astrophysics School "Scientific Writing for Young Astronomers"
The direct purpose of organising an "Astronomy and Astrophysics School" is to teach beginning PhD students how to express their scientific results through adequate and efficient science writing. In other words: how to write scientific papers for different forums (journals, proceedings, thesis manuscripts, etc.). To this end, a three-day training course is organised. More information: http://www.swya.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment