Celebrating the Heavens
During 2009, the world commemorates a simple act. Four centuries ago, Galileo turned his telescope upward and gazed deep into the firmament. While the act itself was simple, what Galileo did with his observations was a triumph. He recognized the profound implications of a few key observations and set out to share that insight.
To experience Galileo's epiphany, read the original text of The Starry Messenger, translated here into English. Galileo's original drawings support his observational claims and convictions.
The 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). The year celebrates the human pursuit to understand what is seemingly unfathomable--the vast realm of space and the fantastic stuff that fills it.
Dark Skies Awareness is one of the global IYA2009 Cornerstone Projects.
International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) in the U.S.
For IYA2009, programs in the United States will coincide with the global celebration, including 365 days of astronomy events. One theme of the US IYA program is "Dark Skies are a Universal Resource," a recognition that all people--not just astronomers--have much to gain from dark skies.
The Let There Be Night program is a grass roots intiative that dovetails with the global celebration.
Goals for 2009
The major goals of IYA 2009 are to:
Increase scientific awareness.
Promote widespread access to new knowledge and observing experiences.
Empower astronomical communities in developing countries.
Support and improve formal and informal science education.
Provide a modern image of science and scientists.
Facilitate new networks and strengthen existing ones.
Improve the gender-balanced representation of scientists at all levels and promote greater involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and engineering careers.
Facilitate the preservation and protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage of dark skies in places such as urban oases, national parks and astronomical sites.
The Next 400 Years...
