2009istheinternationalyearofastronomy

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy

By BENIEL SEKA

sekabeniel AT yahoo DOT com

As 2008 comes to an end we should think of what 2009 has in store for us. Our correspondent BENIEL SEKA who has written a book called ‘Mfumo wa Jua (The Solar System)’ a Swahili classic, has the following message for you.

Tanzania recently celebrated successfully the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). Most of you remember Galileo Galilei who invented the telescope which made a break through in modern astronomy. Astronomy is one of the oldest fundamental sciences which continue to make a profound impact on our culture. It is a powerful expression of the human intellect. About 400 years ago, Galileo used his telescope to observe the universe.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO have initiated global effort for 2009 to be the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) in order to help the citizens of the world to rediscover their place in the universe through day- and night- time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. Everyone should realize the impact of astronomy and other fundamental sciences on our daily lives, and understand how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.

In July 2003, at the IAU General Assembly in Sydney, Australia, IAU voted unanimously in favour of the resolution asking the United Nation s Organization (UNO) to declare the year 2009 as the international year of astronomy. In October, 2005, UNESCO endorsed the IYA2009 and on 20th October 2007, the UNO proclaimed 2009 as the international year of astronomy.

The goals for the IYA2009 are as follows:

1. Increase scientific awareness among the general public through the communication of scientific results in astronomy and related fields, as well as the process of reach and critical thinking that leads to these results.

2. Promote widespread access to the universal knowledge of fundamental science through the excitement of astronomy and sky-observing experiences.

3. Empower astronomical communities in developing countries through the initiation and stimulation of international collaborations.

4. Support and improve formal and informal science education in schools as well as through science cenres, planetariums and museums.

5. Provide a modern image of science and scientists to reinforce the links between science education and science career, and thereby stimulate a long-term increase enrolment in the fields of science and technology, and an appreciation for lifelong learning.

6. Facilitate new, and strengthen existing, networks by connecting amateur astronomers, educators, scientists and communication professionals through local, regional, national and international activities.

7. Improve the gender-balanced representation of scientists at all levels and promote greater involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and engineering careers.

8. Facilitate the preservation and protection of our global cultural and natural heritage of dark skies and historical astronomical sites, through the awareness of the importance and preservation of the dark skies and astronomical sites for the natural environment and human heritage.

The IYA2009 will promote and facilitate the creation of international networks to forester a global appreciation of the role and value of science and astronomy as a unifying activity for humanity. IYA2009 will start up, connect and support networks of professional and amateur astronomers, educators and astrophysicists from all over the world, so that all these valuable sources of knowledge can be shared. The activities of the IYA2009 will largely take place at the national level.

The IYA2009 website (www.astronomy2009.org) has been set up and more than 100 member countries, Tanzania included, have established national committees. In Tanzania the contact person is Dr Noorali Jiwaji (ntjiwaji@yahoo.com ornoorali.jiwaji@out.ac.tz or www.astronmy2009.ac.tz). Dr Jiwaji is working closely with the Tanzania UNESCO Commission to establish a national secretariat. He has already called up meetings with some scientists to set the ball rolling. Based on previous experience of public communication of astronomical events such as solar eclipses and the Venus transit, the IAU confidently expects many ten, even hundreds of million of hits on the IYA2009 website. You are all welcome.