Or, Maybe Just Your Friends, Family and Maybe the Neighbors

Next year is the International Year of Astronomy, formally referred to often enough as IYA 2009. It’s a formally declared event (by the United Nations, no less) and many astronomy-oriented organizations around the world are touting IYA’s activities. If you happen to belong to an astronomy club or work at a planetarium or are a working astronomer, you’ve probably heard about IYA and have been encouraged by others to participate.

If you’re an astronomy “civilian” you may or may not hear about it, but if you’re interested in participating, the link above will take you to a web site full of information about getting involved.

One of the groups that’s working to get the word out about IYA and astronomy is the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. This organization has been around for more than a hundred years and is focused on teaching everybody about astronomy in whatever way works best. I’m a member and I have always encouraged teachers, amateur and professional (and armchair) astronomers to join, too.  You don’t have to live anywhere near the Pacific, you just have to like (or be interested in liking) astronomy.  If you’re a teacher, they have priceless resources about how to bring the wonder of the stars to your students.  If you’re an astronomy professional, the organization has a professional-track set of publications that you probably already know about (or if you don’t, you will).

So, go on over to their site and check it out — there’s a lot of useful information about how you can spread the word about astronomy to your intimate circle of friends and family. And, you’ll also see what they’ve got planned for IYA 2009.

Go on — give it a try!