Event: International Year of Astronomy
1/10/2008 6:30 PM - 7:15 PM
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a major opportunity for astronomy outreach and education. Although Galileo didn't invent the telescope, and apparently wasn't even the first to use a telescope to look skyward, Galileo did introduce the telescope to the science of astronomy in 1609. On the 400th anniversary of that historic turning point, we're celebrating the amazing progress of astronomical understanding produced since by astronomical observations across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and of the understanding that the interpretation of those observations has produced. Our goal for 2009 is to offer an engaging astronomy experience to every person in the country, and build and nurture partnerships to sustain public interest. In support of this goal, the US IYA 2009 Program Committee developed seven major themes: Looking Through a Telescope, Dark Skies Are a Universal Resource, Astronomy in Arts, Entertainment & Storytelling, Research Experience for Students, Teachers, and Citizen-Scientists, Telescope Building & Optics Challenges, Sharing the Universe Through New Technology and Astronomy for Families and Classrooms. A website, www.astronomy2009.us supports the US effort. At this session, we will present plans for the US national programs and discuss how these fit in with the global IYA 2009 goals. Members of the US Program and Development Committees, and the Working Groups, as well as representatives from the IAU IYA 2009 Secreteriat will be present. 2009 promises to be a great year for Astronomy!!
Organizer: Susana Deustua, American Astronomical Society