International Year Astronomy 2009
What is the IYA?
The International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first astronomical observation through a telescope. It is nothing short of a worldwide celebration, promoting astronomy and its contribution to society and culture, with events at regional, national, and global levels.
We can all be a part of this celebration!
The International Year of Astronomy has been launched by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the theme, "The Universe, yours to discover". Thousands of IYA2009 events are described on the national websites, as well as on astronomy2009.org, and a few of the global projects are listed here. Many nations are showing their dedication to the Year. Don't be surprised to see telescopes on the streets in your local town or city.
One project, 100 Hours of Astronomy is a worldwide event taking place from 2-5 April 2009, with a wide range of public outreach activities including live webcasts, observing events and more. One of the key goals of 100 Hours of Astronomy is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope, just as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago.
The World at Night is an IYA2009 Special Project that is producing and bringing to the public a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world's landmarks with the sky in the background. The World at Night is preparing more than 30 exhibitions and educational events around the world.
One of IYA2009's aims is to raise awareness of light pollution, and how the beauty of the night sky is progressively being drowned out, particularly over urban areas. The project Dark Skies Awareness is tackling these issues head-on in a practical, inclusive manner. One way in which it is doing this is by holding star-counting events, where the public are encouraged to see how many stars in a particular area of the sky are actually visible from their location. When compared with data from truly dark sites, the results are often very surprising! The "How Many Stars" event will run from January 2009.
A list of event highlights is available on the official IYA2009 website, www.astronomy2009.org/highlights
During 2009, the sky will provide some exciting events, including the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, occurring on 22 July 2009 and lasting 6 minutes 39 seconds over a narrow corridor through countries including India, Bangladesh and China.
A strong shower of Leonid meteors is also expected in mid-November 2009, with forecasters predicting upwards of an incredible 500 shooting stars per hour. Jupiter will show the public its moons. These are an impressive sight through even a small amateur telescope.
IYA2009 seeks to involve the public at large in its activities. 135 countries have committed themselves to the Year, all pulling together toward the common aim of making astronomy accessible to the public. IYA2009 will reinforce the links between science education and science.
Thomas Harriott - 1560-1621 'English Galileo'
"Moon maps" created by a little-known Englishman 400 years ago are to go on display to mark the launch of the International Year of As
tronomy. Experts say they prove their creator - Thomas Harriot - beat Galileo to become the first man to view the Moon through a telescope.
The Italian philosopher is credited with the feat in December 1609 but papers at the West Sussex Record Office show that Harriot drew images of the Moon several months earlier. Dr Allan Chapman, a science historian at Oxford University, said Harriot's composite drawing of the Moon - produced in 1612 or 1613 - marked "the birth of modern cartog
raphy".
Pics: Thomas Harriot's Moon maps
Thomas Harriot was not only the first person ever to draw an astronomical body with a telescope on 26 July 1609, (Harriot's moon drawing of 26 July 1609 Julian -5 August 1609 Gregorian).he rapidly developed to become an absolutely superb lunar cartographer. There weren't equivalent lunar drawings to be done for another 30 years.
Sir Patrick Moore said, "Tragically, no-one knew of it until relatively recent times, so Galileo gets all the credit. Harriot was first... and his map of the Moon is better than Galileo's."
Sir Patrick goes on to say, "Looking at Harriot's map, it really is a work of art. He saw the mountains, craters and the so-called seas. It really is a wonderful thing and it's British."
Harriot was a wealthy gentleman with no desire for fame and fortune, unlike Galileo. He was comfortably off and had two friends in the Tower of London for political crimes and had no wish to raise his profile. Galileo in Italy on the other hand was relatively hard-up, mid-40s and wanted fame and distinction.
Galileo goes for publication. Harriot stays nice and quiet; and it wasn't until modern times that Harriott's achievements get noticed. British astronomers hope that, 400 years on, Harriot will finally get some of the wider recognition that he deserves.
The first Moon map he drew - on 26 July 1609 - will be on display in Florence, Italy, this summer as part of an exhibition on Galileo. Harriot never took things as far as he might have done. We've got to give Galileo pride of place but let's not forget Harriot.
BBC News (Courtesy of)
It is also believed that Harriot was the first to record Sunspots - map of sunspots shown here from 1609.
Galileo sunspots 1612
IYA - 2009
The year 2009 will mark the International Year of Astronomy. (Abbreviated IYA 2009)
This is a year long global celebration of astronomy that coincides with the 400th anniversary of the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei's first astroomical observations with a telescopes in 1609.
It is a year to invite citizens around the globe to think about their Universe and enjoy the wonders of looking through a telescope. If you cannot visit an observatory nearby, then perhaps someone can visit your school. (Travelling Telescopes in Education for example, but book now!) or enjoy day to day astronomy via Cyber Telescope's website.
Please visit our members site for more on the International Year of Astronomy.
Congratulations to the schools who have started their own Astronomy Clubs.
If your school would like to start but unsure of how to go about it, please contact us for guidance.
The wonders of our Universe - is about all of us!
Let's make it a year to remember.