IYA2009 Updates
New Planetarium Show: We Are Astronomers
11 May 2009
We are Astronomers is an exciting new 360° Fulldome digital planetarium show launching 23 May 2009 simultaneously in seven planetariums across the UK. The show is being produced by NSC Creative with input from UK astronomers. It is funded by STFC, the Science and Technologies Facilities Council. It will be showing in the following planetariums: Armagh Planetarium (Northern Ireland), Centre For Life (Newcastle), INTECH Science Centre & Planetarium (Winchester), National Space Centre (Leicester), Our Dynamic Earth (Edinburgh),Royal Observatory Greenwich (London, and Spaceport (Liverpool)
More information: http://weareastronomers.com/
ESA announces workshop for science teachers
8 May 2009
The European Space Agency invites teachers of science at secondary school to register to attend a Galileo Teacher Training Program Workshop to be held at the NEMO Science Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 29 June to 1 July 2009. A limited number of places are available for this hands-on workshop. Registration closes on 25 May 2009.
Develop new skills, refresh existing lessons
The workshop, organised by the European Space Agency as part of the Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP), a cornerstone of the International Year of Astronomy, is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to gain practical hands-on skills to enable them to teach the physical sciences, in particular physics, using astronomy and space science as vehicles for engaging the current generation of second level students with science. This timely workshop is ideal for teachers who are new to teaching the physical sciences or for those who wish to bring fresh ideas to their lessons. The content of the workshop is particularly suited to teachers of pre-University students, those in the final years of secondary school.
The workshop is organised in a series of hands-on sessions in which expert teachers will present proven classroom activities in which key scientific elements are taught using examples from astronomy and space science. The programme for the workshop highlights ESA educational resources and includes sessions on the use of robotic telescopes and image processing software.
A rich variety of astronomy resources is readily available but experienced educators and outreach specialists have identified a critical impediment: many teachers lack the training to understand these resources or use them effectively in their curricula. This ESA/GTTP workshop will address this problem by providing participants with ample time during the workshop to test the activities and to become sufficiently confident with the material to be able to adapt the material to the requirements of their national curricula.
Become a Galileo Teacher
Participants at the ESA/GTTP workshop will be eligible to be certified as a "Galileo Teacher". This is a tangible recognition of their professional development as a science teacher. The creation of a global network of Galileo Teachers, capable of continuing to implement the effective use and transfer of astronomy education tools and resources into classroom science curricula, will be one of the primary legacies of the GTTP.
Limited places - register now
The workshop is limited to 20 places. Teachers who wish to participate should register before 12:00 CEST on Monday 25 May 2009 by sending an email to: sciedu@esa.int
with the following information:
- Name of teacher (participant)
- Name and address of school.
Who can apply?
The workshop is open to teachers of the physical sciences, especially physics, (those who are currently teaching, or plan to teach in the forthcoming academic year) in secondary schools of ESA Member States and Cooperating States*.
The working language of the workshop will be English so participants must have a sufficient command of the English language to enable them to fully participate in the hands-on activities. A limited amount of financial support, which may be used to offset the costs of travel and accommodation, is available to teachers from ESA Member States and Cooperating States. There is no fee for the workshop.
Schedule
The deadline for receipt of applications is 12:00 CEST on Monday 25 May 2009.
Successful applicants will be informed that they have secured a place at the workshop on or before Friday 29 May. The workshop begins at 9:00 CEST on Monday 29 June and concludes on Wednesday 1 July at 16:00 CEST.
A draft programme for the workshop will soon be available.
Workshop location
The workshop will be held in the NEMO Science Centre, located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. NEMO is within easy walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station which provides easy access to public transport throughout the city, to neighbouring towns, and to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. A variety of accommodation is available in Amsterdam and the surrounding region. Examples of possible accommodation can be found here [see link below]
More information
Further details about the workshop can be obtained from: Karen O'Flaherty (sciedu@esa.int)
ESA and the International Year of Astronomy
The vision for the International Year of Astronomy is the realisation that astronomy and other fundamental sciences have a profound impact on our daily lives. ESA has already made an outstanding contribution to the field of astronomy, and space science, and continues to push technological frontiers to deepen our understanding of the Universe. ESA is contributing to the International Year of Astronomy in two ways: by direct involvement in a selected number of IYA cornerstone activities, and with special activities designed to promote ESA's special place in modern astronomy. This workshop is organised by the ESA Science and Robotic Exploration Directorate, with the support of the ESA Education Office, in the framework of the International Year of Astronomy
About the Galileo Teacher Training Program
The Galileo Teacher Training Program, a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy, will promote astronomy education in classrooms around the world. The International Astronomical Union, in collaboration with leaders in the field of astronomy education and participating nations, will provide educators with the knowledge, tools and resources necessary to bring astronomy into classroom science curricula.
* The 18 ESA Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Canada, Hungary, Poland and Romania participate in some ESA projects under cooperation agreements.
Links
GTTP at IYA2009: http://www.galileoteachers.org
ESA Education: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Education/
European Space Education Resource Office: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESERO_Project/index.html
ESA IYA2009: http://astronomy2009.esa.int
NEMO: http://www.e-nemo.nl/en/
Funding cap for ESA/GTTP workshop:
The funding for participants at the ESA/GTTP workshop is capped according to this table which takes account of the spread of distances between Amsterdam and the ESA Member States and Cooperating Countries. Participants will be reimbursed their travel and accommodation costs, up to the limit specified below, upon receipt of original invoices. More information in the following PDF: http://www.astronomy2009.org/static/resources/funding_cap_for_ESA_GTTP_workshop.pdf
IYA2009 Update
8 May 2009
United Nations support space science education
The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs has congratulated staff and students on the successful conclusion of the Sixth Postgraduate Course on Space and Atmospheric Science at the UN-affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP). The Course is a contribution to IYA2009, and emphasises the importance of education and research in astronomy and space science. Their official website is: http://www.cssteap.org/
2009: A year full of astronomical stamps!
IYA2009 promises to have a number of astronomy related items released. Especially so since the annual PostEurop EUROPA series (with its 40+ member agencies) has selected "Astronomy" as its theme. See the Philatelic Release Calendar here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/organisation/structure/taskgroups/philately/calendar/
Third Falakyati Mela in Okara, Pakistan
More than 1500 attendees, an hour of presentation and another for live lunar and planetary views, extremely enthusiastic students with their parents and teachers, very well organised and publicise, .and a wonderful host! This is the KSS' third Falakyati Mela in the city of Okara. Those who were there would agree that we will probably not see any better this whole year. Would you like to know more? http://www.umairasim.com/Index/Blog/Entries/2009/5/5_Third_Falakyati_Mela_in_Okara,_April_6,_2009..html
IYA2009 boosts GLOBE at Night to record number of dark-skies observations
The global citizen-science campaign GLOBE at Night 2009 recorded 80 percent more observations of the world's dark skies than the programme's previous record - including double the number of digital measurements - thanks in large part to active participation and publicity from the network of 140 countries currently celebrating IYA2009. More information is available here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/258/
Touching the Edge of the Universe world premiere
ESA will present the world premiere of Touching the Edge of the Universe, a stunning new planetarium show, starting 7 May 2009 at 30 planetaria in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The premiere comes just days before the launch of Herschel & Planck, two of the show's starring missions, scheduled for 14 May. Further information can be found here: http://www.planetariumshow.eu
Sand & Flower Festa 2009 in Japan themed after Galileo and IYA2009
The 22nd Sand & Flower Festa 2009 in Minamisatsuma is being held from 2-6 May at Fukiage Beach in Kagoshima Prefecture. The history of this festival dates back to 1987 when they planned to activate the city by making large sand sculptures using sand of Fukiage Beach. The size of the event has grown up to welcome 150 thousands visitors last year. The theme of sand sculptures is Galileo Galilei and the International Year of Astronomy 2009. This festival is one of the official events of IYA2009.
Seiichi Sakamoto, one of JAXA's bloggers on the Cosmic Diary was invited as a delegate of the IYA2009 Japan Committee and JAXA to give a public talk there. Read his post here: http://cosmicdiary.org/blogs/jaxa/seiichi_sakamoto/?p=378
The Sand & Flower Festa's official site is: http://www.sand-minamisatsuma.jp/index.htm
GalileoMobile
GalileoMobile is an itinerant science education project bringing the Year of Astronomy to young underprivileged people across South America, to foster a will of learning by exciting wonder about our Universe. Check out the official website: http://www.galileo-mobile.org/
U.S. former astronaut visits Malta to mark IYA2009
U.S. Senator and astronaut Harrison Schmitt has spent five busy days in Malta to mark IYA2009. Accompanied by his wife Teresa Fitzgibbon, he toured various schools and sixth forms and also appeared on a television programme Xarabank. To read more, visit: http://iya2009malta.page.tl/Astronaut-Geologist-Harrison-Schmitt,-Apollo-17-Lunar-Module-Pilot.htm
Cidadanias "Space and Time": an IYA2009 performance
Scale all life times into one hour.
The Universe, the Earth, a city, a man.
All in one hour. relative, parallel and metaphorical.
Would you understand things better?
Would you find solutions for a better society?
Our goal, as in the latest Cidadania works, is to join art and science and therefore just not question, as art does, but to propose solutions, as science does.
Specially written for the International Year of Astronomy 2009, more information can be found at: www.cidadania-darmstadt.info
Special Project: observing mutual phenomena of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter
In 2009, the equinox will occur on the planet Jupiter (a once every six year event), allowing observation from Earth of mutual occultations and eclipses between the Galilean satellites. We will take the opportunity of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 to encourage everyone to look at these satellites and to make astronomical observations. More information is available at: http://www.imcce.fr/hosted_sites/ama09/phemu09_en.html
ESConet workshop report
The final ESConet workshop report is now available here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/resources/documents/detail/Esconet_IYA2009_report/
StarPeace newsletter
For the latest information about the StarPeace project, be sure to visit: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/updates/267/
A CIRCLE OF PEACE: StarPeace builds bridges between four countries
To promote the universality of the heavens, astronomers from four countries across Asia held a simultaneous public stargazing party on the night of 1 May 2009, under the aegis of StarPeace. Visit the website here: http://www.starpeace.org/
London's National Portrait Gallery exhibits portraits of astronomers
Respected astronomers are getting the star treatment in London's National Portrait Gallery. Well-known stargazers will be featuring in the Portraits of Astronomers gallery, to celebrate IYA2009. The exhibition is running from 12 July 2009, in Room 38 a. For more information about Portraits of Astronomers and the National Portrait Gallery, please visit the official website: http://www.npg.org.uk/
The Sixth International Conference On The Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena
The Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, the Astronomy Department of Padua University, the INAF-Padua Astronomical Observatory, and the Vatican Observatory are jointly organising the sixth international conference on "The Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena" (INSAP) to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first astronomical uses of the telescope. The Conference will be held on 18-23 October 2009 at Palazzo Franchetti in Venice, Italy. To learn more, be sure to visit: http://www.astro.unipd.it/insap6/
Smithsonian Photography Initiative celebrates IYA2009
During May and June, the Smithsonian Photography Initiative offers three ways to celebrate both the International Year of Astronomy and the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observation with a telescope by Galileo Galilei. To get involved, go to: http://photography.si.edu/
News round-up
8 May 2009
It's Friday, and the Sun is shining! It's a perfect day for a) going to the zoo, b) eating pretzels and raspberry jam sandwiches in the park, and c) reading an IYA2009 news round-up!
We shall begin with Huliq News, as they've been promoting a new National Portrait Gallery (London) exhibition named Portraits of Astronomers. Paintings and photographs of the world's stargazers will be dominating the (possibly) esteemed Room 38a from 12 July. It's the place to be!
The Daily Herald has kindly plugged an Astrofest day being organised by an astronomy professor from the wonderfully named town Spanish Fork, in the U.S. We are promised fun for the whole family with activities including planetarium shows and observing with solar telescopes. More information can be found on the Brigham Young University site. Go go go!
Petaluma360.com has a brief story about members of the Sonoma County Astronomical Society sharing their knowledge and telescopes with eighth-grade students from Kenilworth Junior High School. Unfortunately, this tale has been overshadowed on the site by a story about a sprinkler malfunctioning and getting an antique book dealer a bit wet.
Do you have one of those flashy iPhone gadgets? Would you like a groovy application for it? Cult of Mac recommends Star Walk, a mobile astronomy guide to the night sky. It's also an official IYA2009 product, so go and download it! After finishing the news round-up.
The Inner West Courier is flying the flag for Australia this week by advertising what sounds like an excellent exhibition from The Nicholson Museum, at Sydney University. Called "The Sky's The Limit: Astronomy in Antiquity", it explains about ancient myths, calendars, and superstition, among other topics. A selection of artefacts will be on show, including ancient Greek pots celebrating celestial goddesses. We should make a pot celebrating IYA2009.
Also Down Under, the land of kangaroos and sunnies, is an astronomy-themed exhibition opening at the National Gallery of Victoria, artdaily.org reliably informs us. Focussing on photographs taken during the 1960s and ‘70s, the exhibition celebrates IYA2009 and the 40th anniversary of the first Moon walk. But mostly IYA2009, we like to think.
Here's a good one! The San Diego Space Society is running a presentation from California, called "The International Year of Astronomy and You". You'll learn all about the Cornerstone Projects, and other IYA2009 events happening in the area. If you're in the vicinity, be sure to attend and show your support.
Now let's tune into Elites TV. They've been talking about NASA's Great Observatories (Hubble, Spitzer, Chandra) providing superb images which have been printed on large scales by NASA and sent to more than 100 institutions such as planetariums and schools.
Educators interested in astronomy may like to consider attending a conference currently being advertised by redOrbit. Held at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, the IYA2009 theme means that topics are centred on ways to convey the inspirational aspects of astronomy to the public. WARNING: there is an apostrophe error in the second sentence. Be prepared for it.
Remember that these news round-ups are English-language based, so for wider coverage be sure to check local news sites.
That's all for this week! Once again, the IYA2009 news coverage has surprised us beyond our wildest imagination.
Lee Pullen
IYA2009 Staff Writer
United Nations support space science education
7 May 2009
The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs has congratulated staff and students on the successful conclusionn of the Sixth Postgraduate Course on Space and Atmospheric Science at the UN-affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP). The Course is a contribution to IYA2009, and emphasises the importance of education and research in astronomy and space science.
The Course was run from the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad, India, which is one of the world's leading institutions engaged in astronomy and space science research. The organisation has brought many benefits to India, and in true IYA2009 spirit is generously making research and applications available to the local region and beyond through long-term training and courses which began in 1995.
The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs has wished all participants a very bright future and hopes their enthusiasm will continue to inspire them to explore humanity's place within the Universe.
For more information, please visit: http://www.cssteap.org/
U.S. Former Astronaut visits Malta to mark IYA2009
7 May 2009
U.S. Senator and astronaut Harrison Schmitt has spent five busy days in Malta to mark IYA2009. Accompanied by his wife Teresa Fitzgibbon, he toured various schools and sixth forms and also appeared on a television programme Xarabank. He then visited the Aviation museum and met a contingent of the Armed Forces of Malta.
Senator Schmitt was the only geologist to walk on the Moon when he was lunar module pilot of Apollo 17 in 1972. During his IYA2009 visit, he gave two talks to packed halls at the University of Malta. The first was called "A scientist on the moon - Apollo 17" and the second was "Space exploration and exploitation".
Malta's IYA2009 Single Point of Contact, Gordon Caruana Dingli, then took the Senator and his wife on a tour of the island to visit, among other landmarks, the Barakka, Grand Harbour, St John's Cathedral, and the Palace.
More information: http://iya2009malta.page.tl/Astronaut-Geologist-Harrison-Schmitt,-Apollo-17-Lunar-Module-Pilot.htm
Cidadanias "Space and Time": An IYA2009 Performance
7 May 2009
Scale all life times into one hour.
The Universe, the Earth, a city, a man.
All in one hour. relative, parallel and metaphorical.
Would you understand things better?
Would you find solutions for a better society?
Our goal, as in the latest Cidadania works, is to join art and science and therefore just not questionize, as art does, but to propose solutions, as science does.
Specially written for the International Year of Astronomy 2009
Performance time: 60 minutes
Dates:
UN City / Vienna / Austria / 4 - 7th October
Staatstheater Darmstadt / Germany / 16 - 17 th October
More dates are being scheduled.
More information at: www.cidadania-darmstadt.info
The Special Project : Observing mutual phenomena of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter
7 May 2009
In 2009, the equinox will occur on the planet Jupiter (a once every six year event), allowing observation from Earth of mutual occultations and eclipses between the Galilean satellites. We will take the opportunity of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 to encourage everyone to look at these satellites and to make astronomical observations.
The satellites are very easy to observe and the mutual phenomena are accessible to amateur astronomers, students, and anyone using even a small telescope.
These phenomena are not only spectacular and easy to see, they are also rich in scientific information, improving our knowledge of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter. These include objects as large as the planets Mercury or Mars, Io and its volcanoes, Europa and its ice crust, Ganymede, and Callisto.
As well as observing for fun, we request scientific observations to be made according to some simple but rigorous rules, to be followed by observers who possess materials and the ability to record such events. The data will be gathered and used for scientific purposes.
Since the phenomena occur only from April to December 2009, we need a large worldwide network of observers to catch as many events as possible. We intend to include all the participating observers sending valuable data into a final publication in an international journal, as has been done in the past after previous campaigns of observations with amateur astronomers.
More information is available at: http://www.imcce.fr/hosted_sites/ama09/phemu09_en.html
ESConet Workshop Report
7 May 2009
The final ESConet workshop report is now available here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/resources/documents/detail/Esconet_IYA2009_report/
StarPeace Newsletter
6 May 2009
Latest StarPeace News around the world:
To bring peace and science among people, StarPeace cooperators held a public stargazing party from four countries on May 1, 2009: Oman-Iran-Pakistan-India.
To read the complete news and reports on this event go to http://www.starpeace.org/En/News/33/Default.aspx
Now StarPeace has participants from all continents except Antarctica! To check StarPeace clubs on 6 continents go to
http://www.starpeace.org/En/Clubs/Default.aspx
StarPeace on Social Networks:
Latest news and updates on
Twitter: http://twitter.com/starpeace
StarPeace in Media:
Watch the movie of StarPeace Lahore event on May 1, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtPHHB3tFuQ
Reports on StarPeace events in Pakistan:
Event May 1 on Umair Asim website
Event February 9 on Umair Asim website Danka Lahore
Reports on StarPeace event in Iran (in Persian):
Hamvatan Salam Daily Newspaper
Iran International Year of Astronomy Official Website
IRNA News Iran Peace News Agency
Mehr News
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