Astronomy Year

Stories for the International Year of Astronomy

In 2009 we worked with the IYA team to develop and promote the Year in Australia. Below is a list of the bulletins that were sent out throughout the year.

Astronomy in November 2009

Welcome to my November bulletin for the International Year of Astronomy in Australia. This month sees a particularly interesting mix of events, from a “Dance Your PhD” workshop (to be videoed for the web), to a symposium on Indigenous Astronomy and a talk on the Antikythera mechanism, the most sophisticated instrument we know of from the ancient world.

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Astronomy in October 2009

Welcome to my October bulletin for the International Year of Astronomy in Australia.

More than 530 events for the year have been listed on the Australian IYA calendar. That’s a great effort: congratulations and thanks to all of you who’ve jumped on board.

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Astronomy in May: a Moon mosaic, writers festival, ‘Shared Sky’ and more

Issued on behalf of Helen Sim, IYA

Welcome to my May bulletin for the International Year of Astronomy in Australia.

There are nearly 60 events around Australia in May. I’ve listed them below and full details are online at www.astronomy2009.org.au.

The highlights include an Open day at Siding Spring Observatory, Galactic television on the web, careers in space exploration with Glen Nagle from NASA, multi-media performances in the ACT, Sydney, and the Mornington Peninsula, astronomy in antiquity at the University of Sydney, and many opportunities to gaze at the stars. [continue reading…]

Astronomy in May: a Moon mosaic, writers festival, 'Shared Sky' and more

Issued on behalf of Helen Sim, IYA

Welcome to my May bulletin for the International Year of Astronomy in Australia.

There are nearly 60 events around Australia in May. I’ve listed them below and full details are online at www.astronomy2009.org.au.

The highlights include an Open day at Siding Spring Observatory, Galactic television on the web, careers in space exploration with Glen Nagle from NASA, multi-media performances in the ACT, Sydney, and the Mornington Peninsula, astronomy in antiquity at the University of Sydney, and many opportunities to gaze at the stars. [continue reading…]

100 Hours of Astronomy 2-5 April

On Thursday 2 April we start 100 Hours of Astronomy, one of the cornerstone events of the IYA.

100 Hours of Astronomy includes over 60 public events and viewings from professional observatories around the globe, and in space.

In this special bulletin we’ve got more details on this remarkable collection of events taking place from 2 to 5 April. [continue reading…]

100 Hours of Astronomy

Issued by Sue Nelson, Quick Thinking Communications 11 March

An event 400 years in the making

One of the major cornerstone events of the UN-designated International Year of Astronomy, 100 Hours of Astronomy, will take place over 2-5 April.

This global event will see millions of people all over the world coming out onto the streets at night to participate in “star parties” or public viewings of the sky through telescopes – just as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago. Amateur astronomy groups, observatories, arts and scientific institutions around Australia are organising public events for the 100 Hours. [continue reading…]