International Year of Astronomy 2009

Lee was Staff Writer for the International Year of Astronomy 2009. More than 140 countries participated, making it the world's largest ever science outreach initiative.

www.astronomy2009.org •

The International Year of Astronomy 2009: The Largest Science Education and Public Outreach Event in History

The International Year of Astronomy 2009: The Largest Science Education and Public Outreach Event in History

As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) comes to a close, the true scope of the venture is becoming clear. The final count of countries involved stands at 148, a staggering number that confirms that the IYA2009 network is the largest ever in science. Activities and events from these participating nations paint a picture of professional and amateur astronomers bringing the U
https://en.wikipedia.org/ •

International Year of Astronomy - Wikipedia

The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) was a year-long celebration of astronomy that took place in 2009 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei and the publication of Johannes Kepler's Astronomia nova in the 17th century.[1] The Year was declared by the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations.[2][3] A global scheme, laid out by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), was also endorsed by UNESCO, the
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The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Closing Ceremony: Save the Date

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Closing Ceremony: Save the Date

On 9 and 10 January 2010 the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will be brought to an official close with a ceremony to be held in Padova, Italy, in the Aula Magna of the University of Padova, where Galileo taught experimental physics and astronomy. The final event of this global celebration of astronomy and its contribution to society and culture will be attended by the key figures behind IYA2009 as well as pr
www.astronomy2009.org •

Astronomy enthusiast creates song and video for IYA2009

IYA2009 supporter Michael A. Davis decided to do something special to celebrate this most astronomical of years. It was around September 2008 that the seeds were first sown in Michael's mind. His astronomer friend Jerry Langhals was spreading the word about IYA2009, hoping that it would help encourage people to go stargazing even if light pollution was a problem. This appealed to musical Michael, who had already written a song about insects (including lyrics such as "I got no problem with bugs /
www.astronomy2009.org •

Galilean Nights: Global Astronomy Event Invites the World to Discover Our Universe

Galilean Nights: Global Astronomy Event Invites the World to Discover Our Universe

Wind the clock back 400 years and follow in the footsteps of a giant — experience now just what first amazed Galileo in 1609! The latest Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), Galilean Nights, will see thousands of public observing events around the world replicating Galileo’s observations and bringing what he saw 400 years ago to the public of today. From 22 to 24 October, ama
www.astronomy2009.org •

Japanese astronomy superheroes rally in support of IYA2009

More than ten cartoon characters from planetaria and science museums in Japan gathered for the All-Japan Astronomy Character Symposium which was held on 21 June in Akashi. Present were many high-profile IYA2009 supporters, from superheroes to giant animals.

Prof. Seiichi Sakamoto, Director for Space Science Outreach at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), attended the event. Says Prof. Sakamoto, "I learned a lot about the specificat
www.astronomy2009.org •

International Year of Astronomy 2009 raises millions of eyes to the skies

International Year of Astronomy 2009 raises millions of eyes to the skies

As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) reaches its six-month milestone, over a million people have already looked at the sky through a telescope for the first time, and even more have newly engaged in astronomy. This is just one of many achievements, as countless ongoing projects and planned initiatives indicate that the IYA2009 is well on the way towards achieving many of its goals.

UNESCO and the Interna
www.astronomy2009.org •

The Galileo Teacher Training Program brings astronomy into the classroom

The Galileo Teacher Training Program brings astronomy into the classroom

The Galileo Teacher Training Program has been launched, bringing training and resources to teachers around the globe. The project’s aim is to improve astronomy education for children of all nations, by better equipping their tutors through a comprehensive set of resources and practical guidance.

The Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP) is a Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). This
www.astronomy2009.org •

The Portal to the Universe opens its doors

The Portal to the Universe opens its doors

Keeping up-to-date with cutting-edge astronomy and space science breakthroughs has just become that much easier, thanks to the Portal To The Universe, the latest Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). As a high-tech website embracing Web 2.0 technologies, the Portal to the Universe aims to become a one-stop-shop for astronomy news.

Released during the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science (JENAM 2009), taking
www.astronomy2009.org •

The She Is An Astronomer project seeks to break down misconceptions and gender issues in astronomy and science

The She Is An Astronomer project seeks to break down misconceptions and gender issues in astronomy and science

The highly anticipated International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project, She Is An Astronomer, was launched today. She Is An Astronomer aims to help achieve several of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, including promoting gender equality and empowering women.

Gender equality is a priority concern for the whole scientific community, regardless of its field, cult
www.astronomy2009.org •

100 Hours of Astronomy: worldwide astronomy marathon set to break records

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project, 100 Hours of Astronomy, is on track to be the largest single science public outreach event ever. More than 1500 events have been registered in over 130 countries and this number is increasing every day. 100 Hours of Astronomy is a truly global project; an event on a scale never attempted before, with more than one million people expected to participate!

100 Hours of Astronomy (100HA) is a Cornerstone project of the International Year
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Galileoscope in production: The IYA2009 telescope is now available!

Galileoscope in production: The IYA2009 telescope is now available!

The Galileoscope — a high quality, easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use telescope at an unprecedentedly low price — is now available to order. A Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), the Galileoscope was developed by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers and science educators to make the wonders of the night sky more accessible to everyone. Orders can now be placed through www.galileo
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The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Opening Ceremony: Invitation to the Media

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Opening Ceremony: Invitation to the Media

The grand Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 is just around the corner. It will be held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, 15 and 16 January 2009, and promises to be a spectacular event. Hundreds of attendees are expected, including members of royal families, ministers, Nobel Prize winners, scientists from around the gl
www.astronomy2009.org •

Anniversary of Galileo's Observations

IYA2009 may only be two weeks old, but it is already time to mark an important historical event.

399 years ago to the day, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei had completed improvements to his astronomical telescope, and turned this instrument to the heavens. He observed the distant planet Jupiter, then an enigmatic and mysterious body. Galileo discovered three faint dots either side of this world; what could they be?

Over the following months, Galileo systematically observed Jupiter and these
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The Universe is yours to discover during the International Year of Astronomy 2009

The Universe is yours to discover during the International Year of Astronomy 2009

With 2009 just over the horizon, stargazers around the world are busy preparing for the International Year of Astronomy. A staggering 135 nations are collaborating to bring the Universe closer to Earth. Events and activities will take place over the coming 365 days and beyond, in a spectacle of cosmic proportions.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) has been launched by the International Astronomic
www.astronomy2009.org •

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Opening Ceremony: Save the Date

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Opening Ceremony: Save the Date

With just six weeks to go before 2009, the International Year of Astronomy project is getting ready for its grand Opening Ceremony. This promises to be a spectacular event, held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, 15 and 16 January 2009. Hundreds of attendees are expected, including members of royal families, government ministers, Nobel Prize winners and o
www.astronomy2009.org •

EPSC 2009, IYA2009 Session Report

With IYA2009 seeming to approach faster than ever, preparations have gone into over-drive. Europlanet’s European Planetary Science Congress, held this year in the German city of Münster, is well-known for its sessions on public engagement. A morning of “Outreach and Amateur Astronomy” was dedicated to IYA2009 talks, keeping interested parties abreast of developments. The presentations proved popular, drawing a crowd of those directly involved with IYA2009, as well as those whose interest had been sparked by the conference programme.