Now is the time for each country to start planning for IYA2009! Actions that countries may consider undertaking to begin the journey to IYA2009:

•    Form an IYA2009 National Organising Committee. This will serve as the national catalyst and coordinating organisation. Propose a suitable IYA2009 National Node to act as implementer and/or central point of contact for all national activities.

•    Involve national professional societies and amateur astronomical societies early. They are a wonderful source of enthusiastic and knowledgeable manpower that will be very useful in 2009. Ask them to develop their own projects and ideas, which might include:
    o    Local and travelling exhibits on astronomy and its achievements.
    o    National lecture series organised by national societies.
    o    Activities in schools, universities, national and private research laboratories.
    o    Publicity in newspapers and specialised magazines.
    o    Posters in public areas and transportation systems (train, buses, airlines).
    o    Special edition postage stamps.
    o    Special programmes on national

•    Register an Internet domain for each national IYA2009 website. The IAU suggests domain names of the form astronomy2009.XX or astronomy2009.co.XX, where XX is the two letter country code. The exact form will depend on how top level domains are organised in the home country.