IYA2009

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IYA2009

• Ian Robson

Presentation to NAM, April 17th 2007
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What is it ?

• An international year, sponsored by UNESCO and
  hopefully, the UN
• It will last the calendar year 2009
• It will involve as many countries as possible
• It will involve professional astronomers, amateur
  astronomers, outreach personnel, planateria,
  visitor centres, scouts, guides..

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What are its aims ?

• 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. IYA2009
  will mark the monumental leap forward that
  followed Galileos 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.

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How will it work ?

• Organised and overseen by the IAU
• Executive Working Group responsible for
• Coordination, global fund raising, central
  web-site http//www.astronomy2009.org(I am a
  member as President of Commission 55)
• Each country has a Single Point of Contact
• Im your SPoC !
• Most activities expected to be country-based
• There will be some global events

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Whats happened so far ?

• Most of the IAU countries have selected their
  SPoCs
• Kick-off meeting held in ESO HQ in March to
  thrash out big ideas and get everyone together
• Agreement of logo and slogan

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Global event suggestions

• Big-bang opening at 00hrs Jan 1st (e.g. the
  fireworks spectacle of Sydney Harbour Bridge!!)
• Astronomy picture exhibitions (like the Earth
  from the Air)
• 24-hours in the life of the Universe (TV,
  webcast)
• Astronomy Day(s)
• Astronomy week(s) Globe at Night perhaps
• Solar eclipse event (July 22nd China))
• Event at the IAU in Rio (August)

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Timetable

• The next six months will be very important for
• Setting up of the Global Secretariat
• Fund-raising progress
• Feedback and consolidation about the global
  events
• CAP2007 will be held in Athens from Oct 8-11and
  will focus on IYA2009www.communicatingastronomy.o
  rg/cap2007

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• A number of activity groups have been set up
  to look at global or common themes
  http//www.astronomy2009.org/content/view/124/52/
• Opening Events/Ceremonies
• Astronomy Picture Exhibits
• Solar Eclipse 2008/2009
• Day in the life of the Universe
• Affordable telescope kits
• Archeo-astronomy
• Globe at Night
• EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
• (need feedback on progress for next Working Group
  telecon)

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What about the UK ?

• RAS undertakes the top-level organisation
• Web-page at www.astronomy2009.co.uk just set-up
  yesterday
• Oversight committee comprising
• RAS, FAS, BAA, SPA, NAW, ROG, AAE, IoP, Astronomy
  Now, Ecsite, SHA, STFC, FT., which I chair.
• Two meetings held, mainly concentrating on the
  non-professional astronomy pool the NAM is the
  launch point for the professional activists
• Next step to formulate a single Funding Proposal
  for a Project Manager to take on the
  organisational tasks and run the web-page etc.
• Formulate calls for proposals for IYA2009 STFC
  Funding in the most coherent fashion

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UK ideas just starting to be formulated

• Universal Astronomy Day unanimous support for
  the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the
  Apollo landing, July 21st. The week between July
  21 and 26 turns out to be a key week because of
  the Lunar landing, the total solar eclipse (22nd)
  and the (British) Thomas Harriot celebration
  (26th). Astronomy week or MoonWeek?

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UK ideas so far

• Give-away telescopes for the public
• Telescopes for schools
• Film documentary about Thomas Harriot
• AstroFest focus
• BAA National Science Week
• ASE January Conference
• NAM focus ?
• Stately Homes and Holst Planets concerts
• Starparties
• Visitor Centre and Planetarium special events
• The Crawford Collection World Tour

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Your role in the university community

• Ideas welcome
• Get involved
• Work with local astronomical (etc) societies
• Use the occasion to advertise your department
  let your Dean/VC know where the action is
• Let your local community know what you all do and
  how exciting astronomy is
• Enjoy