International Year of Astronomy 2009

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2009 for the International Year Astronomy ( English , International Year of astronomy IYA been) explained - it was a proposal by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) followed. Exactly 400 years earlier, in 1609, Galileo Galilei and other scholars used a telescope for astronomical observations for the first time, and with his work " Astronomia Nova " Johannes Kepler lays the foundations for understanding the physical laws that celestial bodies obey.

A corresponding submission by Italy to UNESCO - the United Nations institution responsible for educational, scientific and cultural issues - was accepted, which the IAU officially announced on October 30, 2006 in Paris. The formal resolution of the 62nd UN General Assembly took place on December 20, 2007. The International Year of Astronomy was officially opened on January 15, 2009 with a solemn ceremony. More than 600 scientists came together at the invitation of UNESCO for the opening in Paris.

The IAU has taken over the coordination of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. This initiative aims to give everyone the opportunity to gain a deeper insight into astronomy . In addition, the Year of Astronomy will serve as a platform to inform the public of the latest astronomical discoveries by emphasizing the essential role of astronomy in science education.

Significance of 1609 for astronomy

On September 25, 1608, Hans Lipperhey , a young man from Middelburg , traveled to The Hague to demonstrate one of his inventions, the telescope , to the Dutch government. Although he was not awarded the patent, Galileo Galilei heard of this story and decided to use the "Dutch perspective glass" and point it up to the sky.

In 1609 the principle of the telescope was known in various places. Galileo Galilei and others aimed telescopes at the night sky for the first time and as a result made amazing discoveries that fundamentally changed the way mankind viewed the world: they found numerous stars , mountains and craters on the moon and moons of Jupiter that were invisible to the naked eye . In the same year Johannes Kepler published his book "Astronomia Nova", in which he established the fundamental laws of planetary motion .

Goals of the IYA

Astronomy , the oldest natural science, has played an important role in most cultures. The International Year of Astrononomy 2009 (IYA2009) aims to globally honor astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. It is intended to arouse interest in astronomy and science in general.

The IYA2009 intends to highlight the tremendous advancement that followed Galileo's first use of the telescope for astronomical observation and to show astronomy as a peaceful scientific endeavor that brings amateur and professional astronomers together as they all seek answers to some of the most fundamental questions that have always preoccupied mankind. The aim of the year is to arouse worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science, under the motto: "The universe: you live in it - discover it!"

Over 100 national committees have been formed to coordinate the IYA2009 projects and to inform the public about them. These committees are collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers , planetariums and observatories , institutes and cultural institutions. Individual countries will develop their own initiatives, while the IAU will act as the coordinator of the overall event.

According to the IYA2009 website, the main objectives of the IYA2009 include:

  1. Improvement of general scientific education
  2. Promotion of access to new astronomical knowledge
  3. Support for astronomical activities in developing countries
  4. Promotion of new networks for astronomical public relations
  5. Preservation and protection of the natural monument of the night sky and the natural nocturnal environment

The IYA2009 will also help less established organizations from developing countries to get involved in larger organizations and make their contributions, linked through a global network. This initiative also aims to reach out to poor children around the world and improve their understanding of the world.

The IYA in Germany and Austria

In Germany, there will be four thematic focal points for the 2009 astronomy year:

  • The view of the sky (January to March 2009)
  • Astronomy and Culture (April to June 2009)
  • World Views of Astronomy (July to September 2009)
  • Astronomy and School (October to December 2009)

In Austria, the following supraregional focus topics were chosen for the International Year of Astronomy:

  • Great moments in astronomy (January to March 2009)
  • How many more stars do we see? (April to June 2009)
  • Astronomy and experiencing nature (July to September 2009)
  • Astronomy, Astrophysics and Our Worldview (October to December 2009)

Furthermore, astronomical associations and amateur astronomers were invited to take private star tours in public places or in the neighborhood and to use more robust amateur telescopes for this purpose .

In addition, the Austrian Mint has issued a 25 euro bimetal coin for the international year of astronomy. Details on the events taking place at observatories, astronomical institutes, planetariums, schools, national parks and elsewhere can be found on the websites listed below.

Projects

Some outstanding supraregional projects for the Year of Astronomy 2009:

  • 100 Hours of Astronomy - international chain of events, especially with nightly observations, which over time, following the course of the night, continues around the whole earth
  • Galileoscope - Development of an inexpensive telescope kit for the simplest astronomical observations
  • Portal to the Universe - aggregation website for astronomical information and news from around the world
  • She is an Astronomer - a project that makes female astronomers more visible through a series of portraits
  • Universe Awareness - Astronomical education project especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds

Web links

Commons : International Year of Astronomy  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cornerstone Projects on the IYA2009 website. Retrieved October 6, 2018 .