Category Archives: astronomy education

amateur astronomy, astronomy, astronomy education, dark skies

What Are You Doing In 2009? Try Astronomy

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A Year of Astronomy

 

 

 



A hundred countries (and counting) have signed on to participate in the International Year of Astronomy, which runs throughout calendar year 2009. The IYA planners envision the year as a time when people take renewed interest in astronomy and science, from school children to members of the general public and the astronomy community (both professional and amateur).

On their web page the International Astronomical Union, which is spearheading the organization of IYA 2009, states:

The vision of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. All humans should realize the impact of astronomy and basic sciences on our daily lives, and understand better how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.

Now, we’re a planet full of people, all with different languages, philosophies, levels of income, education, science interest, and political backgrounds. How can astronomy be something we can all appreciate? It’s pretty simple really: we all have access to the sky. There isn’t anywhere on Earth where you can’t look up and see the sky, day or night. Granted some places have hazy, light-polluted skies. But, even in the worst places, you can see a few stars at night or the Sun, or the Moon. Astronomy is universal.

And that’s the beauty of International Year of Astronomy. Anybody can do something with it, as long as it’s related to the “Cornerstone Projects” that the IAU and IYA planners have developed. What are those projects?

100 Hours of Astronomy
The Galileoscope
The Cosmic Diary
The Portal to the Universe
She is an Astronomer
Dark Skies Awareness
Astro&World Heritage
Galileo Teacher Training Program
Universe Awareness
From Earth to the Universe
Developing Astronomy Globally

You can read more about these projects the IYA home page linked above. I’m particularly interested in the Galileo scope, the Portal to the Universe, and the She is an Astronomer projects. Check out the pages and see if there isn’t a project that excites you to participate, in whatever way you can.

amateur astronomy, astronomy, astronomy education

Touching the Sky

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Astronomy for Everybody


Noreen Grice is one of the most amazing individuals I know. She works at the Boston Museum of Science and has single-handedly brought astronomy to people who can’t see the stars. Noreen took the unheard-of idea of teaching visual astronomy to the blind by using Braille books. Her first one was Touch the Stars. That one has been followed by Touch the Universe and Touch the Sun. Now, her latest book, Touch the Invisible Universe is coming out, according to a press release that is showing up at various NASA-funded sites. It is being distributed by NASA to schools for the blind, and various libraries where it will be a resource for visually impaired people.When it comes to ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma-ray, radio, and infrared radiation, we’re all blind to the universe in those wavelengths. So, I think it’s pretty cool that Noreen has taken a subject within astronomy that gives ALL of us an insight to things we can’t otherwise see (wavelengths beyond visible (optical) light), and explains it all in a book that uses Braille, large print, and tactile “graphics” of astronomical objects, for those who cannot see at all. Astronomy is for everybody, and Noreen’s new book brings that lesson home in an unforgettable way.