Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

13
GLOBAL ASTRONOMY MONTH Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe Thilina Heenatigala Ricardo Reis Astronomers Without Borders JENAM2010 – SPS7 Lisbon, Portugal

description

Abstract:Global Astronomy Month (GAM) is an annual worldwide celebration of astronomy in all its forms which has captured the energy of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) and refocused it as an ongoing annual celebration of the Universe. GAM 2010 saw professional and amateur astronomers, educators and astronomy enthusiasts from around the globe participating together in the spirit of IYA2009 and provided a global stage for established programs and a framework for partnerships. The outstanding public participation experienced in this month-long series of outreach events has led Astronomers Without Borders and its partners to declare Global Astronomy Month an annual event to take place each April—and several global projects launched during GAM 2010 will continue throughout the year as ongoing Astronomers Without Borders programs.Session: SPS7: Education and Outreach after IYA2009 in EuropeConference: Joint European and National Astronomy Meeting (JENAM) 2010Venue: Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, PortugalDates: 6 - 10 September 2010

Transcript of Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Page 1: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

GLOBAL ASTRONOMY MONTH

Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the

Universe

Thilina Heenatigala

Ricardo Reis

Astronomers Without Borders

JENAM2010 – SPS7Lisbon, Portugal

Page 2: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

IYA2009 and next?

• DAWN, 100HA, Galilean Nights, TWAN exhibitions, etc…

Page 3: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Keeping the momentum alive…

Page 4: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Global Astronomy Month

One People, One Sky…

Page 5: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Global Astronomy Month

• GAM is an annual worldwide celebration of astronomy in all its forms.

• captured the energy of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and refocused it as a celebration of the Universe.

• GAM 2010 saw professional and amateur astronomers, educators and astronomy enthusiasts from around the globe participating together in the spirit of IYA2009

• provided a global stage for established programs and a framework for partnerships.

Page 6: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

GAM Programs

Page 7: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Collaborative Programs

• 30 Nights of StarPeace• Yuri’s Night• Citizen Sky• Naming X• Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP)• Solar Week• International Dark Sky Week• The World Night in Defence of the

Starlight

Page 8: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

• “Online Messier Marathon” -  5/6 April 2010 6500 participants, 100 different countries.

• “Is There Anybody Out There?” – 7 April 2010 1500 participants, 80 different countries.

• “Here Comes the Sun” – 11 April 2010 500 participants, 60 different countries.

• “Walking on the Moon” – 21 April 2010 2200 participants, 70 different countries.

• “Cosmic Depths” – 30 April 2010 1900 participants, 60 different countries.

Page 9: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

During GAM…

• Over 32 000 visitors, from 120 different countries connected to the Virtual Telescope webpage.

• Groups from over 80 countries participated.

Page 10: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Continuing Programs

• One Star (at a time)• Global Star Party• Lunar Week• Sun Day• Astropoetry Blog

Page 11: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

• The outstanding public participation experienced in GAM has led Astronomers Without Borders and its partners to declare Global Astronomy Month an annual event to take place each April.

• Several global projects launched during GAM 2010 will continue throughout the year as ongoing Astronomers Without Borders programs.

Page 12: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Let's Continue the Celebration of the Universe!

Page 13: Global Astronomy Month - Inaugurating a New Annual Celebration of the Universe

Thank you.

One People, One Sky…

Thilina HeenatigalaAstronomers Without Borders

[email protected]

www.astronomerswithoutborders.org