International Year of Astronomy 2009

Tuorla Observatory 15 October 2008Tapio Markkanen

• Italian initiative to the IAU, 2003 → proposal to UNESCO• UNESCO’s recommendation to the United Nations, 2005• UN General Assembly’s resolution, December 2007 • 125 countries involved by Sep 2008• Charles Darwin published the Origin of Species in 1859.

IYA 2009 background

Main Goals•Scientific awareness among the general public•Widespread access to the universal knowledge of fundamental science•Empower astronomical communities in developing countries•Improve formal and informal science education•Provide a modern image of science and scientists

•Facilitate new and strengthen existing networks•Improve gender balance•Preservation and protection of world cultural and natural heritage of dark sites and historical astronomical sites•The Millennium Development Goals

Cornerstone Projects

100 hours of AstronomyGalileoscopeCosmic DiaryPortal to the UniverseShe is an AstronomerDark Sky AwarenessAstro & World HeritageGalileo Teacher Training ProgrammeUniverse AwarenessFrom Earth to the UniverseDeveloping Astronomy GloballySeveral Special Projects

100 hours of Astronomy (an example)• Observatories, planetaria, TV and Radio, Internet

• Professional and Amateur Astronomers together

From Earth to the UniverseWill be exhibited in many communities throughout Finland,in Helsinki at the Main Buss Station.

Astronomical World Heritage

Projects in Finland

Science Days January 2009, Grand OpeningBooks, articles, radio and TV programmesEuropa Stamp by Finnish Post OfficeFrom Earth to the UniverseMobile Planetarium and Universe LabOne’s own observationsLecture TourSolar System modelsSky map exhibition at National LibraryAmateur Societies, star parties and showsPlanetariaNOT competition for young peopleLUMA Centre and MAOL teachers’ network SciFest, University of JoensuuGalilean moons in position determination

The Universe as your own experienceThe whole country covered by activities

A Project for young people: Plan your Space colony.

• SciFest 2009

• Coordinated by University of

Joensuu

• Partners from

• South Africa to Finland

Determine your position by observing the Galilean Moons of Jupiter

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◇ ◇Galilei 1609

Exhibition of Sky Maps at National Library October 2009 – Febryary 2010

A large co-operative community

• Working and coordinating group set by the Finnish National Commission of Astronomy and Ursa Association.

• Composed of professional and amateur astronomers, experts and actors of education and communication.

• More info and contacts:www.astronomy2009.orgwww.astronomy2009.fi walter.rydman@ursa.fimarkku.sarimaa@ursa.fitapio.markkanen@helsinki.fi

Open road to the skies

The Universe – Yours to discoverInitiatives welcome