Download IYA2009 Theme .(English)

IYA2009 Theme
Dennis Crabtree
(NRC-HIA and Gemini)
With valuable input from Rick Feinberg, Lars Lindberg
Christensen and Ian Robson
IYA2009 is an opportunity to:
 Celebrate Galileo and the 400th anniversary of using the
telescope for astronomy
 Illustrate the cultural influence astronomy over time and
connect science and culture
 Show that astronomy is one of most captivating branches of
natural science and excellently suited to show the
fascinating aspects of science, especially to young people
 Remind humanity that we are ourselves responsible for the
future of our planet
 Portray astronomers as a global family of international
collaborations.
 Encourage a scientific perspective in society
• Increase public support for scientific
research
• Improve science education at all levels,
and
• Attract young people to careers in science
and technology
• Develop a global theme that is universal (or
close to) and can be used (or adapted) by any
participating country
• The theme and adopted slogan/logo should be
interrelated
• Theme should have a link to basic UN principles
Connect people to the night sky
• Get as many as possible to
look at the night sky and/or look
through a telescope at night
• Ideal activity for observatories,
planetariums, astronomy clubs,
and individuals
• Keep track of the number –
Google Earth mashup?
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Appreciate the night sky
Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pleiades, Orion, etc.
Globe at Night concept – sharing of nighttime experiences
Universe Awareness – expose children to the inspiration of
astronomy
“The sky, our common and universal heritage, forms an
integral part of the total environment that is perceived by
mankind. Including the interpretation of the sky as a theme
in World Heritage is a logical step towards taking into
consideration the relationship between mankind and its
environment. This step is necessary for the recognition and
safeguarding of cultural properties and of cultural or natural
landscapes that transcribe the relationship between
mankind and the sky.”
UNESCO - World Heritage Site
IAU and Global Events
Dennis Crabtree
(NRC-HIA and Gemini)
• International Astronomical Union (IAU) will play a
leading role as a catalyst and coordinator
• Most events will occur nationally, regionally and
locally
• The IAU should take a lead on a small number
of global activities including opening and closing
events
• Establish a Web site that follows astronomers from
around the world as they experience IYA2009 – The
Universal Times (modelled after Quantum Diaries)
• Universal Times aims to put a face -- many faces -- on
the global astronomy community in 2009.
• Through their bios, videos, photos, and blogs, the
bloggers offer a personal look at the daily lives of
astronomers.
• It's about being a astronomer. That means that the
bloggers write about their families, hobbies, and
interests, as well as their latest research findings and the
challenges that face them.
• Sponsor an expanded Globe at Night program to
connect people with the night sky and to help them
become aware of light pollution issues
• Arrange a series of live webcasts over a 24-hour period
from telescopes around the world. Each telescope would
webcast for one or two hours with a ‘host’ at each
telescope. The host would talk about the telescope,
interview the observers about their science, show data,
etc.
• Take advantage of the total solar eclipse of July 22,
2009, which will be the longest duration eclipse of the
21st century.
IYA 2009 Opening and Closing
Ceremonies and More!
Dennis Crabtree
(NRC-HIA and Gemini)
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IYA2009 will span the calendar year
Opening ceremony in January 2009
Closing ceremony in early- or mid-December
Type of events? Locations?
The Official Opening Ceremony to launch International
Polar Year 2007-2008 will take place at the Palais de la
Découverte, a famous science museum in central Paris,
France. The event will start at 11.00 Central European Time
(CET) with a press conference, followed by a buffet lunch.
International Year of Physics 2005 Opening
The launch conference « Physics for Tomorrow » took
place in Paris, January 13-15, 2005, under the aegis of the
UNO, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation), the IUPAP (International Union
of Pure and Applied Physics) and the EPS (European
Physical Society). It is also supported by a number of
sponsors including French and international organizations
and institutions .
Over 1000 participants are expected, including many Nobel
Prize winners and other eminent scientific personalities, as
also around 500 young students from over 80 countries.
• Suggest a 3-day conference as an opening
event for IYA2009
• Location: TBD (Paris, New York)
• Include high-profile speakers
• Conference to cover various topics:
– Astronomy in different cultures
– Accomplishments of astronomy since the first use of
the telescope
– Our current view of the universe
– Astronomy and the public
– Roundtable discussions
• Suggest a more modest closing ceremony
in mid-December
• A review of the excitement of the past year
• Announce the number of people that
looked through a telescope during the year
• IYA should have a major presence during
the GA in 2009
• A special Symposium on a topic TBD
• Other events?