IYA2009IYA2009Ian RobsonIan Robson

Presentation to NAM, April 17th 2007

What is it ?What is it ?• An international year, sponsored by

UNESCO and hopefully, the UN

• It will last the calendar year 2009

• It will involve as many countries as possible

• It will involve professional astronomers, amateur astronomers, outreach personnel, planateria, visitor centres, scouts, guides…..

What are its aims ?What are its aims ? IYA2009 will be a global celebration of astronomy and its 

contributions to society and culture, stimulating worldwide interest not only in astronomy, but in science in  general, with a particular slant towards young people. IYA2009 will mark the monumental leap forward that followed Galileo’s first use of the telescope for astronomical observations, and portray astronomy as a peaceful global scientific endeavour that unites astronomers in an international, multicultural family of scientists working together to find answers to some of the most fundamental questions that humankind has ever asked.

How will it work ?How will it work ?• Organised and overseen by the IAU

– Executive Working Group responsible for:• Coordination, global fund raising, central web-site

http://www.astronomy2009.org(I am a member as President of Commission 55)

• Each country has a Single Point of Contact– I’m your SPoC !

• Most activities expected to be country-based• There will be some ‘global’ events

What’s happened so far ?What’s happened so far ?• Most of the IAU countries have

selected their SPoCs• Kick-off meeting held in ESO

HQ in March to thrash out big ideas and get everyone together

• Agreement of logo and slogan

Global event suggestionsGlobal event suggestions Big-bang opening at 00hrs Jan 1st (e.g. the

fireworks – spectacle of Sydney Harbour Bridge!!) Astronomy picture exhibitions (like the Earth from

the Air) 24-hours in the life of the Universe (TV, webcast) Astronomy Day(s) Astronomy week(s) – Globe at Night perhaps Solar eclipse event (July 22nd – China)) Event at the IAU in Rio (August)

TimetableTimetable The next six months will be very important for:

Setting up of the Global Secretariat Fund-raising progress Feedback and consolidation about the global events

CAP2007 will be held in Athens from Oct 8-11and will focus on IYA2009www.communicatingastronomy.org/cap2007

A number of activity groups have been set up to look at global or common themes: http://www.astronomy2009.org/content/view/124/52/

Opening Events/Ceremonies Astronomy Picture Exhibits Solar Eclipse 2008/2009 Day in the life of the UniverseAffordable telescope kits Archeo-astronomy Globe at Night EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)

(need feedback on progress for next Working Group telecon)

What about the UK ?What about the UK ?• RAS undertakes the top-level organisation

– Web-page at www.astronomy2009.co.uk just set-up yesterday• Oversight committee comprising

– RAS, FAS, BAA, SPA, NAW, ROG, AAE, IoP, Astronomy Now, Ecsite, SHA, STFC, FT., which I chair.

• Two meetings held, mainly concentrating on the non-professional astronomy pool – the NAM is the launch point for the professional activists

• Next step to formulate a single Funding Proposal for a Project Manager to take on the organisational tasks and run the web-page etc.

• Formulate calls for proposals for IYA2009 STFC Funding in the most coherent fashion

UK ideas – just starting to be formulatedUK ideas – just starting to be formulated• Universal Astronomy Day – unanimous

support for the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo landing, July 21st. [The week between July 21 and 26 turns out to be a key week because of the Lunar landing, the total solar eclipse (22nd) and the (British) Thomas Harriot celebration (26th). Astronomy week or MoonWeek?]

UK ideas so farUK ideas so far• ‘Give-away’ telescopes for the public• Telescopes for schools• Film documentary about Thomas Harriot• AstroFest focus• BAA National Science Week• ASE January Conference• NAM focus ?• Stately Homes and Holst Planets concerts• Starparties• Visitor Centre and Planetarium special events• The Crawford Collection World Tour

Your role in the university communityYour role in the university community

• Ideas welcome• Get involved• Work with local astronomical (etc) societies• Use the occasion to advertise your department –

let your Dean/VC know where the action is• Let your local community know what you all do and

how exciting astronomy is• Enjoy