IYA2009 Cornerstone Projects

[iceman (Mike)]

From IYA2009 site:

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is supported by eleven Cornerstone projects. These are global programmes of activities centred on specific themes and are some of the projects that will help to achieve IYA2009's main goals; whether it is the support and promotion of women in astronomy, the preservation of dark-sky sites around the world or educating and explaining the workings of the Universe to millions, the eleven Cornerstones will be key elements in the success of IYA2009.

The cornerstone projects are:

• 100 hours of Astronomy
• The Galileoscope
• Cosmic Diary
• The Portal to the Universe
• She is an Astronomer
• Dark Skies Awareness
• Astro & World Heritage
• Galileo Teacher Training Programme
• Universe Awareness
• From Earth to the Universe
• Developing Astronomy Globally

Once more information is known about these and what activities are planned locally to support these cornerstone projects, I'll let you know.

[Terry B]

Our club (UNENTAS) is planning to be involved with the 100 hours of astronomy. Planning is in its early days but the ideas are to have viewings at our observatory and/or in town each evening from 2-5th April. Hopefully I can get one of the local high schools involved as a safe place to set up scopes in the evening.

[Liz]

Our local club (Townsville Astronomy Group) will also be getting involved in 2009 IYA, and specifically the 100 hours of Astronomy. Sounds a lot of fun for us, and for the public.

[anthony.tony]

Can you explain what Cornerstone is. reguard,s Tony

[anthony.tony]

Our Historical Society Has approached our Canowindra group to Give a talk on Astronomy and a Viewing night.I was told some Gov. body has contacted the Historical groups in other Towns to do the same. Tony

[anthony.tony]

John Sarkissian Operations Scientist From Parkes telescope and member of The CWAS will give a Talk on Astronomy and other things in April 2009 at Canowindra.It is tied in with The Canowindra Historical Society.There will be a Public viewing night as well. He told me he has 4to 5 Talks to give next year at other towns.reguard's Tony

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

I most probably am in the wrong space here, but its all relevent. I know Curtin university does school outreach programmes every now and then, though they don't do too much to be pro active with it.

In conjunction with IIS i would love to use some of my time to go out to schools and share what i know, along with the use of my equipment and curtins equipment to excite youngsters, as i belive that this is where the future of astronomy lays.

Doing it with ISS does 3 things, Promotes ISS, Curtin uni, and sets these people up with the appropriot community in which they can ask questions and be welcomed. Astronomy is not something for "geeks" I for one am as far away from the term as you could think about. though it seems that everybody that i talk to attaches that stigma to astronomy.

These are my thoughts, and if you would like to talk to me about anything else that would be great, I will be talking with curtin anyhow to see if i can organize something but it would also be good to be working with IIS.

Regards

Brendan Mitchell