International Year of Astronomy

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Stephen Pompea and Andrea Schweitzer
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Broad concept
Global celebration in developed and developing
countries alike, 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 and education at all levels.
In unison with UN millennium development
goals Where? Everywhere! For whom? People of
all ages (but particularly
young people), all continents, all paths
of life
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The International Year of Astronomy

• Vision
• To help the citizens of the world rediscover
  their place in the Universe through the day and
  night time sky, and thereby engage a personal
  sense of wonder and discovery.
• Celebration
• A global celebration of astronomy and its
  contributions to society and culture, highlighted
  by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an
  astronomical telescope by Galileo.

http//astronomy2009.org
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Why in 2009?

• To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileos
  first observations through a telescope in 1609
• To celebrate 400 years of astronomy with
  telescopes since then

Galileo Galilei1564-1642
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How IYA Began

• First proposed by Franco Pacini of Italy to
  commemorate the 400th anniversary of Galileos
  first observations through a telescope
• Approved by the International Astronomical Union
  in 2006
• United Nations approval in December 2007
• U.S. House of Representatives Resolution in July
  2008
• Over 130 nations participating!

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U.S. Goal for IYA

• To offer an engaging astronomy experience to
  every person in the country, nurture existing
  partnerships and build new connections to sustain
  public interest.

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How will we do all this?

• Coordinate and give visibility to existing
  programs
• Create new IYA materials
• Recruit LOTS of volunteers!

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Activities in the US

• US Goal
• To offer an engaging astronomy experience to
  every person in the country, nurture existing
  partnerships and build new connections to sustain
  public interest.
• US Themes

• Looking Through a Telescope
• Dark Skies Are a Universal Resource
• Astronomy in Arts, Entertainment Storytelling
• Research Experiences for Students, Teachers, and
  Citizen-Scientists
• Telescope Kits Optics
• Sharing the Universe Through New Technology
• The Universe for Classrooms and Families

http//astronomy2009.us
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NASA and IYA Our Goals
NASA activities support the U.S. goal for IYA,
and are aligned with U.S. themes

• NASA aims to
• Provide opportunities for youth and adults to
  make their own observations of the universe
• Increase awareness of astronomy, including
  misconceptions
• Strengthen interest in science and science
  education
• Enhance collaboration across and beyond NASA

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NASA and IYA Our Strategy

• NASAs Approach
• Capitalize on public interest in NASAs
  scientific discoveries and missions to support US
  goals.
• Convey observation and exploration as an ongoing
  human endeavor.
• Commitment to reaching new audiences
• Central website portal with monthly themes that
  provides a framework for planning.
• Topic related to key events and activities
• Celestial objects to observe
• NASA space science mission events
• Events for students, educators, and the public
• Related resources and activities for educators
  and families

http//astronomy2009.nasa.gov
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Getting Involved Observing Experiences

• MicroObservatory
• A network of 5 telescopes
• Automated, weather-proof
• Control via the Internet
• Intuitive web interface
• E-mail response after image taken
• Half million images since 1998
• Users in all 50 states

Technical Details 6in Maksutov
reflector B,V,R,I, ND-4 filters 650x500 pixel at
5/pxl 1º x 0.75º field
http//www.microobservatory.org
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Working Together Community Partners

• From Earth to the Universe
• Global Cornerstone Project
• Bring beautiful images of the cosmos to
  non-traditional venues such as public parks and
  gardens, art museums, shopping
• Prototype FETTU outdoor exhibition held at Albert
  Dock in Liverpool, UK
• Semi-permanent exhibits in Chicago and Atlanta
  traveling version with multiple stops across the
  US

http//fromearthtotheuniverse.org
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Working Together Community Partners

• Great Observatories Image Unveilings
• Spectacular multi-wavelength views from NASAs
  Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope,
  and Chandra X-ray Observatory
• Large-scale prints of Messier 101 to be unveiled
  at science centers, museums, planetaria, and
  schools nationwide February 14-18
• Second event later in the year
• Opportunities for Night Sky Network star parties
  and activities with MicroObservatory!

Example above Messier 51 Object to be unveiled
in February is Messier 101
http//hubblesource.stsci.edu/iya
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NASA Mission Events

• Kepler NASAs first mission capable of detecting
  Earth-sized planets! Scheduled to launch in
  March.
• http//kepler.nasa.gov
• Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Will map the Moon
  in amazing detail companion LCROSS payload will
  impact the Moon! LCROSS star party scheduled for
  August 1.
• http//lunar.gfsc.nasa.gov and http//lcross.arc.n
  asa.gov
• Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Misison 4
  Bringing exciting new capabilities to the Hubble
  Space Telescope! http//hubblesite.org
• Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer Making a
  complete inventory of nearby young stars and
  their dusty disks!
• http//wise.ssl.berkeley.edu

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The Portal to the Universe

• The Portal to the Universe
• A one-stop universe of news
• Enabling access To aggregate (pull) from content
  providers incl. all astronomy-related dynamic
  content (e.g. RSS feeds of blogs, images, news,
  etc) and distribute (push) to the users
• Index and archive To collect and maintain a
  central repository of useful information,
  including resources such as educational materials
  and more, addresses for all astronomy
  stakeholders such as amateur clubs, planetariums,
  observatories etc.
• Enabling communication and collaboration Create
  and maintain a network of all stakeholders incl.
  establishing a social network for all astronomy
  interested.

www.portaltotheuniverse.org
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Looking Through a Telescope

• Galileoscope
• www.astronomy2009.us/optics/galileoscope/
• How to Host a Star Party or Event
• www.astronomy2009.us/howtohost/
• Discovery Guides
• www.astrosociety.org/iya/guides.html

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Galileoscope
Millions looking at the sky

• Design a telescope kit of high educational
  utility and optical quality
• Manufacture and distribute one million
  inexpensive but high-quality telescope kits
• Build in maximum educational value and utility
  Integrate kits into basic inquiry-based
  educational material on image formation and
  telescopes for more extended education programs.
• Design a professional development programme for
  educators to increase the reach of the kit
• Chair Rick Fienberg (USA)

www.galileoscope.org
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Galileoscope
Millions looking at the sky
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Discovery Guides
Each IYA Discovery Guide includes Monthly
theme Hands-on activity NASAs featured
celestial object and how to find it in the sky
www.astrosociety.org/iya/guides.html
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Dark Skies are a Universal Resource

• Star Counting Programs
• - GLOBE at Night
• - Great World Wide Star Count
• National Park Service Initiative
• www.darksky.org

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GLOBE at Night

• March 16-28, 2009
• Look toward the constellation Orion
• Record your results online
• www.globe.gov/GaN/

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Great World Wide Star Count

• October 9-23, 2009
• In the northern hemisphere, look toward the
  constellation Cygnus the Swan
• www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/starcount/ind
  ex.html

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Sharing the Universe Through New Technology

• 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts
• Portal to the Universe - all-in-one Web site
• Astronomy Island in Second Life
• WorldWide Telescope, a virtual telescope by
  Microsoft

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365 Days of Astronomy Podcasts

• One podcast per day, for all 365 days of IYA2009.
  
• The podcast episodes are written, recorded and
  produced by people around the world.
• You can sponsor a podcast for 25.
• www.365DaysOfAstronomy.org

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NASAs Saturn Observing Campaign

• March 8-28, 2009
• Help support NASAs Cassini-Huygens mission to
  Saturn soc.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

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IYA2009 Programs

• 100 Hours of Astronomy
• www.100hoursofastronomy.org
• From Earth to the Universe (FETTU)
  www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org
• PBS Special 400 Years of the Telescope
  www.400years.org
• Airing April 14th at
• 10pm

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100 Hours of Astronomy

• The goal is to have as many people as possible
  worldwide look through a telescope
• April 2-5, 2009 with the Moon at first quarter
  for early evening observing
• Saturn will be an observing highlight
• International webcasts
• Opening event featuring Galileos original
  telescope

www.100HoursofAstronomy.org
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100 Hours of Astronomy (cont.)

• Science centers, planetariums and science museums
  will participate with
• Live webcasts
• Live observations using remote telescopes
• Public observing by amateur astronomy groups
• 24-hour live webcast from research observatories
  worldwide
• 24-hour global star party including the
  International Sidewalk Astronomy Night April 4th
  www.SidewalkAstronomyNight.com

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Image Exhibit From Earth to the Universe

• Host a local astronomy image exhibit
• 100 astronomical images with captions
• Can be as simple as using your home printer and
  hanging images in a hallway, or as big as an
  outdoor or airport exhibit

www.FromEarthToTheUniverse.org
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400 Years of the Telescope

• PBS TV show and planetarium show in spring 2009
• --MPT Airing, April 14th at 10pm, and Md. Science
  Center planetarium show in June

www.400years.org
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How You Can Get Involved in IYA

• Find Get Involved in IYA information sheets at
  www.astronomy2009.us/GetInvolved/  
• General public
• Families
• Amateur astronomers
• Teachers
• Homeschool groups
• Science centers and Planetaria
• Professors and graduate students

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Help Spread IYA Logos
IYA International Logo www.astronomy2009.org/resou
rces/branding/ and IYA U.S.
Logo www.astronomy2009.us/newscenter/logo-graphics
/

• On your website as an IYA Supporter
• Available on T-shirts, mugs, etc. as a fundraiser
• International logos shop.cafepress.com/iya20
  09
• US logos zazzle.com/iya2009gifts

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Participate in

• GLOBE at Night star counting
• March 16 28, 2009
  www.globe.gov/GaN
• Earth Hour turn out the lights!
• Saturday, March 28, 2009
  www.EarthHour.org
• 100 Hours of Astronomy
• April 2 5, 2009
  www.100hoursofastronomy.org
• Great World-wide Star Count
• Oct 9-23, 2009 www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_scien
  ce/starcount/
•  

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Local Goals

• New Astronomy Audiences
• New Partnerships
• New Tools
• New Ideas
• for years to come.

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New Tools

• Revised Activities Phases of Venus and Jupiters
  Moons

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New Virtual Tools

• Podcasts 365 Days of Astronomy
• Island in Second Life
• WorldWide Telescope, virtual telescope by
  Microsoft

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New Partnerships

• Professional astronomers
• Amateur and backyard astronomers
• Observatories, planetaria
• Science centers
• NASA
• Universities and colleges
• K-12 teachers and schools
• Community groups, Scouts
• Online communities, Second Life
• The public
• You!

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NASAs Monthly Themes