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Posted by baalke on October 27, 2006, 4:48 pm
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IAU0606: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.iau.org/iau0606_IYA.408.0.html
The International Astronomical Union announces the International
Year of Astronomy 2009
27-October-2006, Munich: The International Astronomical Union will be
coordinating the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. This
initiative
is an opportunity for the citizens of Earth to gain a deeper insight
into
astronomy's role in enriching all human cultures. Moreover, it will
serve
as a platform for informing the public about the latest astronomy
discoveries while emphasizing the essential role of astronomy in
science
education.
In 1609, Galileo Galilei first turned one of his telescopes to the
night
sky and made astounding discoveries that changed mankind's conception
of
the world forever: mountains and craters on the Moon, a plethora of
stars
invisible to the naked eye and moons around Jupiter. Astronomical
observatories around the world promise to reveal how planets and
stars are formed, how galaxies assemble and evolve, and what the
structure
and shape of our Universe actually are. Today, humans are in the middle
of
a new age of discovery, one as profound as the one Galileo ushered in
when
he turned his telescope on those glorious star-filled nights 400 years
ago.
Astronomy, the oldest science in history, has played an important role
in
most, if not all, cultures over the ages. Thanks to advanced telescopes
and space probes, astronomy continues to be a trailblazer, enhancing
our
knowledge by delivering breathtaking discoveries almost on a weekly
basis.
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will be a global
celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture,
stimulating worldwide interest not only in astronomy, but in science in
general, with a particular slant towards young people. The IYA2009 is
deemed to mark the monumental leap forward that followed Galileo's
first
use of the telescope for astronomical observations, and portray
astronomy
as a peaceful global scientific endeavour that unites astronomers in an
international, multicultural family of scientists working together to
find
answers to some of the most fundamental questions that humankind has
ever
asked.
The vast majority of IYA2009 activities will span local, regional and
national levels. Several countries have already formed National Nodes
to
work on the planning and preparation of activities for 2009. These
committees are collaborations between professional and amateur
astronomers, science centres and science communicators. Individual
countries will be undertaking their own initiatives as well as
assessing
their own national needs, while the IAU will be acting as the event's
coordinator and catalyst on a global scale. The IAU plans to liaise
with,
and involve, as many as possible of the ongoing outreach and education
efforts throughout the world, including those organized by amateur
astronomers.
Despite the IYA2009 being still in its early planning stages, a number
of
very exciting ideas have already been put forward. One of the core
ideas
is to bring Astronomy closer to all citizens of planet Earth by giving
them the opportunity to interact with amateur and professional
astronomers, as well as to participate in "sidewalk astronomy" events
in
planetariums and public observatories where several different
activities,
such as looking through a telescope and observing our Universe, will be
held.
As important an objective is to ensure that less well-established
organizations from the developing world can become involved with larger
organizations and deliver their contributions, linked via a huge global
network. Aiming at awakening the public awareness of astronomy and
science
in the developing countries, the IYA will, based on a resolution
adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 2005, be launching the
Universe Awareness (UNAWE) program in 2009. Such a scheme has been
designed to broaden the minds of economically disadvantaged young
children
across the globe, enhance their understanding of the world and
demonstrate
the power of rational thought.
The IYA2009 is, first and foremost, an activity for the citizens of
Planet
Earth, which will convey the excitement of personal discovery, the
pleasure of sharing fundamental knowledge about the Universe and our
place
in it and ultimately, the value of the scientific culture.
# # #
Notes for editors
The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings
together almost 10,000 distinguished astronomers from all nations of
the
world. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy
in
all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves
as
the internationally recognized authority for assigning designations to
celestial bodies and any surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the
IAU is the worlds largest professional body for astronomers. The IAU
General Assembly is held every three years and is one of the largest
and
most diverse meetings on the astronomical communitys calendar.
Contact
Catherine Cesarsky
IAU President
European Southern Observatory, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49-89-32-00-62-27
E-mail: ikreutle@eso.org
Karel A. van der Hucht
IAU General Secretary
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
tel: +31-30-2535729/5600
E-mail: K.A.van.der.Hucht@SRON.nl
PIO and 2009 International Year of Astronomy contact
Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
ESA/Hubble, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49-89-32-00-63-06
Cellular: +49-173-3872-621
E-mail: lars@eso.org
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