IYA2009 Updates
Beyond IYA2009 Updates
18 October 2010
Latest Communicating Astronomy with the Public journal Highlights Cultural Astronomy
This special issue of Communicating Astronomy with the Public journal (CAPjournal) looks at IYA2009 events that focused on cultural astronomy and discusses how including a historical or cultural aspect can help communicators to engage with a wider audience. Read more: http://www.capjournal.org/issues/09/index.php
Discover ESO's Hidden Treasures: An Astronomical Images Competition
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is proud to present Hidden Treasures — a free competition for everyone who enjoys making beautiful images of the night sky using real astronomical data. The competition has some extremely attractive prizes for the lucky winners who produce the most beautiful and original images, including an all expenses paid trip to ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, in Chile, the world’s most advanced optical telescope. And the winner will have a chance to participate in the nightly VLT observations under the crisp Chilean skies. More information: http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/hiddentreasures/
Central European Deepsky Imaging Conference
Linz (Austria), March 18-20 2011
More information: http://www.cedic.at/
Global Projects for IYA2009 and Beyond
Talk by Mike Simmons,100HA Co-Chair: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/1067/
The World at Night Newsletter October 2010
http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/1066/
XV International Astronomy Olympiad
Sudak (Crimea, Ukraine), October 16-24, 2010
The International Astronomy Olympiad is a scientific-educating event for students of the junior high school classes - 14-18 years old, which includes an intellectual competition between these students. The style of the problems is aimed at developing the imagination, creativity and independent thinking. More information: http://www.issp.ac.ru/iao/2010/
Open Educational Resouces
Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that are freely available online for everyone to use, whether you are an instructor, student or self-learner. Examples of OER include: full courses, course modules, syllabi, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, lab and classroom activities, pedagogical materials, games, simulations, and many more resources contained in digital media collections from around the world.More information: https://openeducationalresources.pbworks.com/What-are-Open-Educational-Resources
Cassini Scientist for a Day
18 October 2010
Cassini Scientist for a Day is an essay contest designed to give students a taste of life as a scientist. Students compare and research three possible targets that the Cassini spacecraft can image during a given time set aside for education. They are to choose the one observation they think will yield the best science results and explain their reasons in an essay.
More information: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/scientistforaday9thedition/
The deadline for the contest is Oct. 27, 2010.
TWAN Mystery October 2010: Dark Bands in the Sky
18 October 2010
What are the dark vertical bands on the right side of this recent aurora image from northern Canada? Are they black aurora or an atmospheric phenomenon? http://www.twanight.org/newTWAN/mystery.asp
Capture the Universe Astrophotography Contest
18 October 2010
In celebration of Celestron's 50th Anniversary, DISCOVER and Celestron are hosting an exciting astronomy photo contest. Bad Astronomy blogger and the host of TV series Bad Universe, Phil Plait will be choosing the top ten photos which will be featured in a special photo gallery for all to see!
Contest starts on October 1, 2010 and ends on October 30, 2010.
For complete Contest Rules please check the website: http://www.celestronimages.com/contest.php?contest_id=5&utm_source=Discover&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=CaptureTheUniverse
Latest Communicating Astronomy with the Public journal Highlights Cultural Astronomy
15 October 2010
This special issue of Communicating Astronomy with the Public journal (CAPjournal) looks at IYA2009 events that focused on cultural astronomy and discusses how including a historical or cultural aspect can help communicators to engage with a wider audience.
During IYA2009, many countries ran projects that can be classed as “Cultural Astronomy”. The activities described focused on indigenous astronomy, the history of astronomy and the inclusive nature of astronomy — as a hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. Activities included public events that combined telescope observing with storytelling, new learning modules for school children, theatre productions and cultural astronomy exhibitions.
Articles in this issue include “Australian Aboriginal Astronomy in the IYA2009”, “Mi’kmaq Night Sky Stories”, “Making Astronomy Culturally Relevant” and many more. It is hoped that the selection of events presented in CAPjournal 9 will encourage others to highlight the cultural aspect of astronomy in their own education and public outreach activities.
CAPjournal encourages readers to submit their own articles, details about forthcoming astronomy and science communication events (conferences, meetings, etc.), training opportunities, job postings or courses offered. If you have astronomy and science communication-themed products, such as books, DVDs, television programmes, magazines or websites that you would like to see reviewed by the CAPjournal editorial team, simply send the necessary information to: editor@capjournal.org
- CAPjournal issue 9: http://www.capjournal.org/issues/09/index.php
Central European Deepsky Imaging Conference
15 October 2010
Global Projects for IYA2009 and Beyond: Talk by Mike Simmons,100HA Co-Chair
14 October 2010
The World at Night Newsletter October 2010
14 October 2010
- New Publications: TWAN Book in German and Dutch: The World at Night has its first official book published in Europe. The large coffee-table book is illustrated with some of the most beautiful TWAN photos.
- New Topics Galleries: Each month there will be new topical galleries on TWAN to make searching through TWAN enlarging archive easier. The new topical galleries are Moon, Milky Way, Meteors, Comets, Eclipses, Aurora, and stunning Virtual Reality animations of night sky.
- Join TWAN fans on Facebook: Learn about the latest updates on the project and communicate with TWAN photographers at The World at Night page on Facebook page.
- Host a TWAN event: TWAN events have traveled to about 30 countries since 2008. New planning for TWAN exhibits and educational workshops is started and we seek for the best venues around the world with interest to host TWAN events in 2010 and beyond. Contact us
There are new stunning photos and time-lapse videos on the TWAN website, featuring starry nights of our planet's landmarks from around the world:
Africa
Algeria
- Sagittarius above the Sahara by Babak A. Tafreshi
Tanzania
- River of Heaven by Kwon O Chul
- A Complete Night of Mount Kilimanjaro (VR/video) by Kwon O Chul
- Sky Motion above Kilimanjaro (VR/video) by Kwon O Chul
Americas
Canada
- Aurora Reflection by Yuichi Takasaka
- Northern Lights over Prelude Lake by Yuichi Takasaka
- Alberta Summer Night by Yuichi Takasaka
- Northern Lights above Clouds by Yuichi Takasaka
- The Color of Polar Nights by Yuichi Takasaka
USA
- Creek Milky Way by Wally Pacholka
- Galaxy Reflection by Wally Pacholka
- Pegasus and Andromeda in the Crater Lake by Wally Pacholka
- Emerald Beauty by Wally Pacholka
Asia
Nepal
- Above the Clouds in Himalaya by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Beehive above Himalaya by Babak A. Tafreshi
Russia
- A Summer Night of Siberia by Aleksandr Yuferev
Australia and Pacific
Australia
- Starry Sky above Siding Spring by Kwon O Chul
- Siding Spring Milky Way by Kwon O Chul
Chile
- Easter Island Milky Way by Juan Carlos Casado
- Moments with Moais by Stephane Guisard
- Hessdalen Northern Lights (time-lapse video) by Bernd Proschold
Cook Islands
- Galactic Paradise by Tunc Tezel
- The Bands of Zodiac and Milky Way by Tunc Tezel
- Captain Cook Sky by P.K. Chen
New Zealand
- Starry Night of New Zealand by Tunc Tezel
- New Zealand All Sky View by Tunc Tezel
- Milky Way and Two Satellites by P.K. Chen
- Sky Gazing from Lake Takepo by P.K. Chen
- Our Cosmic Neighbors by P.K. Chen
- Winter Night of Southern New Zealand by P.K. Chen
Europe
France
- Jupiter above Brittany by Laurent Laveder
- Balanced with Moon by Laurent Laveder
- Moon and Planets above Atlantic Ocean by Serge Brunier
- Full Moon and King Gradlon by Laurent Laveder
- The Rare Parhelic Circle by Laurent Laveder
- Starry Sky of Switched Off Village by Laurent Laveder
- Moon and Jupiter above Quimper Cathedral by Laurent Laveder
Hungary
- Photographer and Jupiter by Tamas Ladanyi
- Moon and Jupiter by Tamas Ladanyi
- Observing Jupiter and Uranus by Tamas Ladanyi
- Meteor and Sundial by Tamas Ladanyi
Norway
- Aurora and Meteor by Bernd Proschold
Sweden
- Frosty Moonrise by P-M Heden
- The Falling Star by P-M Heden
- Crescent Venus by P-M Heden
- My Galactic Home by P-M Heden
- Milky Way above Faro by P-M Heden
Middle East
Iran
- Jupiter and Uranus by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Celestial Conjunction above Ancient Ruins by Oshin D. Zakarian
- Conjunction Observers by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Moon, Venus, and Observers in Motion (VR/video) by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Flying to the Stars by Amir H. Abolfath
- Moon and Planetary Triangle in the Evening Sky by Amir H. Abolfath
- Galaxy Gazer by Amir H. Abolfath
- Moon, Venus, and Photographer by Amir H. Abolfath
- Desert Night by Amir H. Abolfath
- Winter Night of Alborz by Oshin D. Zakarian
- Hormozd Shines above Persia by Oshin D. Zakarian
- Lights from the Earth and Space by Oshin D. Zakarian
- Astronomy for Public by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Sky Photographer Meets with Three Planets by Babak A. Tafreshi
- A King of Liberty by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Night, Camera, Action! (VR/video) by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Walking Under Milky Way by Babak A. Tafreshi
- Starry Love Story by Oshin D. Zakarian
- Engaged with Stars by Oshin D. Zakarian
Turkey
- Jupiter and Milky Way by Tunc Tezel
- Ending Summer's Evening by Tunc Tezel
- Seven Months of Venus (time-lapse video) by Tunc Tezel
The Guest Gallery is a well-received section on the TWAN website, featuring selected outstanding Earth and sky photos by non-TWAN creative photographers from around the globe. If you have such remarkable photos to share with the TWAN Guest Gallery then please contact us. There are new featured photos in the Guest Gallery:
- Spring and the Milky Way (Locho mountain, Zahedan, Iran) by Mojtaba Moghadasi
- Star Trails in Sohrein (Sohrein, Zanjan, Iran) by Amir Ali Nasiri
- Sky over Sattelegg #1 (Sattelegg, Switzerland) by David Kaplan
- Niyasar Fire Temple and Star Trails (Niyasar, Kashan, Iran) by Abdolhossein Hashemizadeh
- Milky Way from Light to Dark (Zahedan, Iran) by Arman Golestaneh
- Heavenly Milky Way Arch (Weikersheim, Germany) by Jens Hackmann
- Arrabida Mountain Star Trail (Portinho da Arrabida, Setubal, Portugal) by Miguel Claro
- Windmill Milky Way (Mazra'eye Soleyman, Ardakan, Iran) by Ehsan Sanaei
- Rainbow in Full Moonlight (Iguacu Falls, Brazil-Argentina) by Renato Seerig
- Messier Marathon (Abadeh, Fars, Iran) by Ariana Ahangary
- Moon and Venus above Nyakas Hill (Zsambek, Hungary) by Tamas Abraham
- Full Moon between the Steeples (Allgau, Germany) by Timm Kasper and Robert Blasius
- Orion and Star Trail Cones (Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan) by Mohammad Javad Saffaran
- All Sky View (Taftan Mountain, Iran) by Arman Golestaneh
- Conjunction over Ince Minaret Medrese (Konya, Turkey) by M. Rasid Tugral
- Emu at the Beach (Miramar, Argentina) by Luis Argerich
- Surveillance and Stars (National Pine Forest, Marinha Grande, Portugal) by Goncalo Lemos
- Trailing Tijara Fort (Tijara Fort, Rajasthan, India) by Preshanth Jagannathan
- Moon and Venus from Mercedes (Mercedes, Argentina) by Luis Argerich
- ISS Crossing the Sky (Almada, Portugal) by Miguel Claro
- Venus and Mercury Rising (Snake Valley, Victoria, Australia) by Rob Kaufman
- Falls in Full Moonlight (Iguacu Falls, Brazil-Argentina) by Renato Seerig
- Crossroads Under the Stars (Leh, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India) by Ajay Talwar, Vikrant Narang, Raghu Kalra
- Night Dreams (Wasco, Oregon, USA) by Larry Andreasen
Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD), a NASA’s world-known website, has featured new images by TWAN photographers:
- Opposite the Sun by Babak Tafreshi
- Northern Lights over Prelude Lake by Yuichi Takasaka
TWAN is featuring 13 special galleries:
Dark Skies Importance
World Heritage Sites
TWAN APODs
TWAN on National Geographic News
TWAN is a global program of Astronomers Without Borders (www.astrowb.org) and a Special Project of International Year of Astronomy, an initiative by IAU and UNESCO. The World at Night is to produce and present a collection of stunning photographs of the world's most beautiful and historic sites against the nighttime backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events. The eternally peaceful sky looks the same above all symbols of different nations and regions, attesting to the truly unified nature of Earth as a planet rather than an amalgam of human-designated territories.
Building bridges through the sky
The World at Night
www.twanight.org
Discover ESO's Hidden Treasures
14 October 2010
An Astronomical Images Competition
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is proud to present Hidden Treasures — a free competition for everyone who enjoys making beautiful images of the night sky using real astronomical data. The competition has some extremely attractive prizes for the lucky winners who produce the most beautiful and original images, including an all expenses paid trip to ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, in Chile, the world’s most advanced optical telescope. And the winner will have a chance to participate in the nightly VLT observations under the crisp Chilean skies.
The job however is not for the faint-hearted, as many terabytes of data are available, spanning many years, different instruments and technologies. The goal is to dig a dataset out of the ESO science archive, process the raw frames and assemble them into a stunning colour or greyscale image. Can you compete with the best astrophotography specialists?
There are only a few restrictions: the image must be one that has not previously been released by ESO, it must be based on images from the ESO telescopes, is should not be “painted” in an unreasonable way and you should allow ESO to use the image afterwards (you will get a credit). Other than that, the only limit is your skill and creativity.
Complete terms and conditions are available on the website.
The entries should be submitted before 30 November 2010.
Links
Contacts
Olivier Hainaut
ESO, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3200 6752
Email: HiddenTreasures@eso.org
Science in School issue 16 now available
14 October 2010
The latest issue of Science in School, a free science education journal, is now available. The many exciting stories in this issue cover topics such as marine conservation, car racing in the physics classroom, flying doctors, and hot stuff in the deep sea.
Science in School is published by EIROforum, a collaboration between seven European intergovernmental scientific research organisations. The journal addresses science teaching both across Europe and across disciplines: highlighting the best in teaching and cutting-edge research.
Links
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