The International Year of Astronomy(IYA) has been declared by UNESCO for 2009, the 400th anniversary of the first telescopic observations of the sky by Galileo. The aim of the IYA is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme The Universe, Yours to Discover. In Canada, the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA), the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) and the Federation des Astronomes Amateurs du Quebec (FAAQ) are working together to develop Canadian IYA activities.
The Edmonton Centre of the RASC, working with its partners, has developed the events listed on this page to help celebrate the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.
Upcoming Local IYA Events
- Strathcona County Canada Day Festival: On Canada Day (Jul 1) bring your family to a day of FREE family fun, including solar observing. See the event website for more information. The RASC will be there with a display and telescopes.
- 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon: On July 20 look for special celebrations at the TELUS World of Science.
- Party Under the Stars: On September 6, we are having a Star Party at Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve (Elk Island National Park) to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the declaration of the Dark Sky Preserve created in 2005. Go to Party Under the Stars for more details.
- Galileo Lecture: On September 16, Dr. Laura Ferrarese, from the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in Victoria BC, will give a public lecture titled Black Holes: A Ninety-Year Journey at the University of Alberta.
- Space Exploration Symposium: On September 25-26, the University of Alberta and the TELUS World of Science host speakers from the Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology (ISSET).
- The George Moores Astronomy Workshop: The GMAW will run from October 16 to 18. This workshop is an astronomy retreat run by the local RASC every two or three years for its members, teachers, and general public. In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, the RASC is holding a workshop in the fall of 2009. Time and location are yet to be determined. Enrollment in this workshop is limited and preference given to teachers and RASC members.
- Galileo First Observes the Moon in 1609: On November 30 is the official anniversary of Galileo’s first telescopic observations of the Moon. Too bad that it will be a new moon, but that will not stop us from celebrating the event.
- Galileo Moments / Sidewalk Astronomy:
Throughout the year look for groups of sidewalk astronomers in your neighbourhood or school to provide a Galileo Moment, that first look through a telescope to experience with their own eyes some of the marvelous objects in the heavens, to as many Edmontonians as possible. As part of the nationally promoted Galileo Moment, the Edmonton Centre plans to celebrate 400 years of the telescope by conducting a total of 400 public astronomical viewing opportunities in 2009 throughout the community. See the Calendar of Events for details. - Observing Deck activities: Volunteers at the Telus World of Science Observing Deck and the University of Alberta's Campus Observatory will promote IYA to all visitors through various IYA promotions such as posters, post cards, information brochures, and astronomy trading cards.
- RASC Monthly Meetings: The RASC Edmonton Centre meets monthly from September to June, usually on the second Monday of the month. Throughout 2009, all meetings have invited speakers or club members give presentations on exciting astronomy topics. These meetings are free and open to the public.
- Public Talks by RASC Edmonton Centre Members: Throughout 2009, members of the RASC Edmonton Centre are making a special effort to make astronomy presentations at local schools, special interest groups and other organizations. A summary of past presentations are provided on our IYA Past Events page. If your organization has request for a speaker, please contact the Public Education Director.
The IYA Edmonton (IYAE) Committee
The IYAE committee, headed by the Edmonton Centre of the RASC, is the organizing body for IYA activities local to Edmonton and its surrounding communities. This committee has been working since June 2008 to create exciting local programs for 2009. You can contact the committee through the public education director on the Edmonton Council & Contacts list.