Press Releases

Also see our press releases on eso.org, iau.org, spacetelescope.org.

iya1101 — News Release

Educational Astronomy Project Awarded Grant of 1.9 Million Euros

8 February 2011: The European Union (EU) has granted 1.9 million euros to support the 6-country educational programme EUNAWE, based on Universe Awareness (UNAWE). UNAWE is, an IAU-endorsed programme that uses the beauty and grandeur of the Universe to encourage young children, particularly those from an underprivileged background, to have an interest in science and technology and foster their sense of global citizenship from the earliest age. Although UNAWE was only founded five years ago, it is already active in 40 countries and comprises a global network of almost 500 astronomers, teachers and other educators.

iya1008 — News Release

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Secretariat to Close at the End of the Year

20 December 2010: The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) Secretariat will finish its activities on 31 December 2010, following three and a half years of service. While closure of the IYA2009 Secretariat marks the end of the largest project that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has ever embarked upon, the organisation remains committed to promoting education and public outreach throughout the world.

iya1007 — News Release

Cosmic Diary Anthology Released as a Free Book: Postcards from the Edge of the Universe

7 September 2010: The book, Postcards from the Edge of the Universe, was launched today at the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science in Lisbon, Portugal. A legacy of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project Cosmic Diary, the book features articles from astronomers around the world about the hottest astronomical topics of the moment.

iya1006 — News Release

International Year of Astronomy 2009 Reached Hundreds of Millions of People: Final Report Released

7 September 2010: A 1300-page final report for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 was released today at the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science in Lisbon, Portugal. The report shows that at least 815 million people in 148 countries participated in the world’s largest science event in decades.

iya1005 — News Release

From Stone Age to Space Age — Astronomy & World Heritage Thematic Study released

3 August 2010: The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, at its 34th session in Brasília, Brazil, has, for the first time, endorsed a study in science heritage. The thematic study on the Heritage Sites of Astronomy and Archaeoastronomy, prepared within the framework of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, presents an overall vision of astronomical heritage and attempts to identify some of the most outstanding examples that are of significance to everyone.

iya1004 — News Release

Agreement signed for the IAU Office for Astronomy Development

30 July 2010: The President of the South African National Research Foundation, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld and the General Secretary of the IAU, Dr. Ian Corbett, signed a landmark agreement in Pretoria today with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) which will foster and promote astronomy in the developing world.

iya1003 — News Release

South African Astronomical Observatory Selected as Host for the IAU Office for Astronomy Development

25 May 2010: The Executive Committee of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has selected the SAAO, a national facility of the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), to host the IAU Office for Astronomy Development (OAD). The Office is the key component of the decadal global strategy plan, Astronomy for the Developing World, launched at the 2009 IAU General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is aimed at using astronomy to foster education and capacity building throughout the world.

iya1002 — News Release

From Earth to the Universe Wins Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach

26 February 2010: The International Year of Astronomy 2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach has been awarded to From Earth to the Universe (FETTU). This award recognises FETTU’s important contribution in improving public awareness of astronomical achievements, and in stimulating the use of astronomy for the promotion of scientific education and culture in 2009.

iya1001 — News Release

The International Year of Astronomy 2009: The Largest Science Education and Public Outreach Event in History

8 January 2010: As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) comes to a close, the true scope of the venture is becoming clear. The final count of countries involved stands at 148, a staggering number that confirms that the IYA2009 network is the largest ever in science. Activities and events from these participating nations paint a picture of professional and amateur astronomers bringing the Universe down to Earth through countless projects, opening the eyes of the public to the wonders above.

iya0919 — News Release

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Closing Ceremony: Save the Date

17 December 2009: On 9 and 10 January 2010 the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will be brought to an official close with a ceremony to be held in Padova, Italy, in the Aula Magna of the University of Padova, where Galileo taught experimental physics and astronomy. The final event of this global celebration of astronomy and its contribution to society and culture will be attended by the key figures behind IYA2009 as well as prominent astronomers. The press is invited to attend.

iya0918 — News Release

Galilean Nights: Get Ready for a Galileo Experience!

21 October 2009: The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project, Galilean Nights, begins tomorrow. Hundreds of thousands of people all around the world will experience their own “Galileo moment” when they look up at the sky through a telescope for the first time. Galilean Nights will be a global experience, with more than 1000 public observing events in over 70 countries, and this number is still increasing each day.

iya0917 — News Release

Call for Submissions to the IYA2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach

15 October 2009: The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is soliciting nominations and submissions for the IYA2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach.

iya0916 — News Release

The GalileoMobile starts its South American voyage: astronomy education goes on tour through the Andes Mountains

5 October 2009: Today marks the beginning of the GalileoMobile Project, a two-month expedition to bring the wonder and excitement of astronomy to young people of Chile, Bolivia and Peru. A group of astronomers and educators will travel through a region of the Andes Mountains aboard the GalileoMobile, offering astronomical activities, such as workshops for students and star parties for the general public. Professional filmmakers on the trip will produce a multilingual documentary capturing the thrill of discovery through science, culture and travel.

iya0915 — News Release

Galilean Nights: Global Astronomy Event Invites the World to Discover Our Universe

17 September 2009: Wind the clock back 400 years and follow in the footsteps of a giant — experience now just what first amazed Galileo in 1609! The latest Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), Galilean Nights, will see thousands of public observing events around the world replicating Galileo’s observations and bringing what he saw 400 years ago to the public of today. From 22 to 24 October, amateur and professional astronomers, science centres, schools and all interested groups are invited to be part of the Galilean Nights project and to register their events on the project website www.galileannights.org. We can all make this a worldwide success.

iya0914 — News Release

IAU General Assembly finishes with the launch of successor to the International Year of Astronomy

13 August 2009: The XXVIIth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) had its Closing Ceremony today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition to the discussion of new scientific results one of the major outcomes of the 2009 General Assembly is the launch of a decadal global strategy with the aim of fostering education and capacity building throughout the world.

iya0913 — News Release

International Year of Astronomy 2009 raises millions of eyes to the skies

1 July 2009: As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) reaches its six-month milestone, over a million people have already looked at the sky through a telescope for the first time, and even more have newly engaged in astronomy. This is just one of many achievements, as countless ongoing projects and planned initiatives indicate that the IYA2009 is well on the way towards achieving many of its goals.

iya0912 — News Release

Media invitation for the 27th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union

18 June 2009: The International Year of Astronomy coincides with the 27th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2009. More than two thousand astronomers from all around the world are expected to meet and present their latest discoveries in Rio de Janeiro in August. A number of exciting media events are planned.

iya0911 — News Release

The Galileo Teacher Training Program brings astronomy into the classroom

9 June 2009: The Galileo Teacher Training Program has been launched, bringing training and resources to teachers around the globe. The project’s aim is to improve astronomy education for children of all nations, by better equipping their tutors through a comprehensive set of resources and practical guidance.

iya0910 — News Release

The Portal to the Universe opens its doors

23 April 2009: Keeping up-to-date with cutting-edge astronomy and space science breakthroughs has just become that much easier, thanks to the Portal To The Universe, the latest Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). As a high-tech website embracing Web 2.0 technologies, the Portal to the Universe aims to become a one-stop-shop for astronomy news.

iya0909 — News Release

The She Is An Astronomer project seeks to break down misconceptions and gender issues in astronomy and science

21 April 2009: The highly anticipated International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project , She Is An Astronomer, was launched today. She Is An Astronomer aims to help achieve several of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, including promoting gender equality and empowering women.

iya0908 — News Release

100 Hours of Astronomy: worldwide astronomy marathon set to break records

30 March 2009: The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project, 100 Hours of Astronomy, is on track to be the largest single science public outreach event ever. More than 1500 events have been registered in over 130 countries and this number is increasing every day. 100 Hours of Astronomy is a truly global project; an event on a scale never attempted before, with more than one million people expected to participate!

iya0907 — News Release

IAU Vice-President receives L’ORÉAL–UNESCO award

5 March 2009: Beatriz Barbuy, Vice-President of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) today receives a L’ORÉAL–UNESCO award for exceptional women scientists. The 2009 Laureates will each receive $100 000.

iya0906 — News Release

Galileoscope in production: The IYA2009 telescope is now available!

4 March 2009: The Galileoscope — a high quality, easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use telescope at an unprecedentedly low price — is now available to order. A Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), the Galileoscope was developed by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers and science educators to make the wonders of the night sky more accessible to everyone. Orders can now be placed through www.galileoscope.org for delivery beginning in late April.

iya0905 — News Release

Global launch for From Earth to the Universe project

25 February 2009: Worldwide exhibitions of large-scale astronomical images are being launched in over 40 countries around the world. The IYA2009 Cornerstone project, From Earth to the Universe (FETTU), is designed to bring the undeniable beauty of astronomy to the general public in a series of free showings across the world.

iya0904 — News Release

100 Hours of Astronomy project kicks off!

10 February 2009: The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is about to reach new heights as the Global Cornerstone Project, 100 Hours of Astronomy, scheduled to take place from 2–5 April 2009, ramps up. The project invites amateur astronomers, educators, professional astronomers, planetaria, science centres and more to arrange events around the world during this 4-day period and to publicise them now on the project website. For those wishing to visit the frontiers of astronomy from their home, a 24-hour webcast from the largest telescopes on the planet will take a unique look behind the scenes at state of the art research facilities.

iya0903 — News Release

IAU releases milestone book and movie celebrating the telescope

23 January 2009: One of the International Astronomical Union's contributions to the International Year of Astronomy 2009 is the new book and movie Eyes on the Skies — 400 Years of Telescopic Discovery, telling the fascinating story of the telescope, from its invention to the modern day. Review copies of the book, published by Wiley, and documentary movie are available for the press.

iya0902 — News Release

Kick-off for the International Year of Astronomy 2009

15 January 2009: Astronomers from around the world have gathered in Paris for the start of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), the largest network ever for sharing the wonders of the Universe with the public.

iya0901 — News Release

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Opening Ceremony: Invitation to the Media

9 January 2009: The grand Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 is just around the corner. It will be held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, 15 and 16 January 2009, and promises to be a spectacular event. Hundreds of attendees are expected, including members of royal families, ministers, Nobel Prize winners, scientists from around the globe, and young astronomy undergraduate students from more than 100 countries. The media are invited to attend, and see firsthand how 2009 will make the Universe yours to discover. A webcast feed will be available.

iya0805 — News Release

The Universe is yours to discover during the International Year of Astronomy 2009

29 December 2008: With 2009 just over the horizon, stargazers around the world are busy preparing for the International Year of Astronomy. A staggering 135 nations are collaborating to bring the Universe closer to Earth. Events and activities will take place over the coming 365 days and beyond, in a spectacle of cosmic proportions.

iya0804 — News Release

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Opening Ceremony: Save the Date

21 November 2008: With just six weeks to go before 2009, the International Year of Astronomy project is getting ready for its grand Opening Ceremony. This promises to be a spectacular event, held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, 15 and 16 January 2009. Hundreds of attendees are expected, including members of royal families, government ministers, Nobel Prize winners and other eminent scientists. The press is invited to attend and to “save the date” in the calendar.

iya0803 — News Release

UNESCO and the IAU sign key agreement on Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative

30 October 2008: A Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed today, 30 October 2008, between UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU will be integrally involved in the process of developing UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative, helping to promote astronomical sites of "Outstanding Universal Value".

iya0802 — News Release

The first IYA2009 Cornerstone Project brings the stars to Liverpool

5 June 2008: A prototype exhibit of astronomy images called From Earth to the Universe is a precursor of the wide range of events planned in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. The dazzling display of images will take viewers deep into the Universe from 7-29 June 2008 and will be held at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, UK.

iya0801 — News Release

The IYA2009 welcomes the 100th participating country

17 January 2008: The organisers of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO, welcomed this week the 100th participating country to the growing ranks of participating countries and organisations for this worldwide astronomy project. This milestone is reached only four weeks after the official Proclamation of IYA2009 by the United Nations.

iya0701 — News Release

The UN declares 2009 the International Year of Astronomy

20 December 2007: Early this morning (CET) the United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo Galilei's home country. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO.

iya0602 — News Release

IYA2009 web page public, National Node chairs appointed

21 December 2006: The web page for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) http://www.astronomy2009.org/
has just gone public. The page is the main starting point for the global and local IYA2009 events and everyone interested in IYA2009 can use this page to get in contact with their local IYA2009 National Node. The Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2007 Conference (CAP2007) held in Athens (October 2007) will have IYA2009 as the main theme.

iya0601 — News Release

The IAU announces the IYA

26 October 2006: The International Astronomical Union will be coordinating the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. This initiative is an opportunity for the citizens of Earth to gain a deeper insight into astronomy’s role in enriching all human cultures. Moreover, it will serve as a platform for informing the public about the latest astronomy discoveries while emphasizing the essential role of astronomy in science education.

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National Nodes: 148
Organisational Nodes: 40
Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22

Global Sponsors

IYA2009 Patron

Organisational Associates:

ESO

AAS

INSU

CAS

STRW

NOVA

STFC

SCNAT

SPA

NRC

MEC

CNES

DLR

ESA

JAXA

NAOJ

APL

ESF

ISRO

ICRAN

NLSI

NOT

U Cluster

NASA

EAS

AUI

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