IYA2009 Organisational Structure

The IYA2009 is happening at all levels: international, national, regional and local. Most of the events are being organised locally and rely on local amateur and professional astronomers. However, an international network of interconnecting organising bodies ensures that the best ideas and practices are shared.

The International Astronomical Union has established an Executive Committee Working Group (IYA2009 WG), chaired by the IAU President, Catherine Cesarsky, to lead the IAU's efforts for IYA2009. The IAU envisions its role in IYA2009 as taking responsibility for:

• Organising a small number of truly global events.
• Establishing the international IYA2009 website (www.astronomy2009.org). This serves as a focal point for IYA2009 activities and as a clearinghouse for activities and projects at the national level. It provides information useful for the global coordination of this event. For instance:
  
  • Contact information for the organisers for press, educators and public.
  • Background information.
  • Latest news.
  • Resources
  • Lists of global and international events.
  • Lists of events in each country.
  • Links to the IYA2009 pages in each country.
  • Ideas for local, regional and national events.
   
• Liaise with the several IYA2009 stakeholders and partners, namely:
  • National Nodes
  • Organisational Nodes
  • Organisational Associates
  • Media Partners
  • Cornerstones
  • Special Task Groups
  • Special Projects
  • Global Sponsors
    

The official IYA2009 Opening Ceremony took place at the UNESCO Headquarters, in Paris, on the 15th and 16th of January 2009. Another big IYA2009 event will happen on the occasion of the XXVII IAU General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 2009. The official Closing Ceremony will most likely take place in Florence, Italy.

 

Organisational Associates:

      

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is endorsed by the United Nations and the International Council of Science.