The origin of international year of astronomy
1609, Italian astronomer Galileo made his first astronomical observation with a telescope and observed the surface of the moon. Sunspots, Galileo satellites of Jupiter, Saturn's rings, etc. It was discovered one after another, which confirmed that Venus supported Copernicus' Heliocentrism in profit and loss. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of this pioneering work, in 2003, the 23rd General Assembly of the Australian International Astronomical Union decided that 2009 would be the international year of astronomy, and under the impetus of Galileo's native Italy, it made a proposal to UNESCO and the United Nations. From June 5438 to February 2007, the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly officially announced that 2009 would be designated as international year of astronomy, which was organized by UNESCO and implemented by the International Astronomical Union, and coordinated the participation and co-sponsorship of global astronomical organizations.
Basic activities in international year of astronomy
1, astronomical 24 hours
This is a global all-weather activity, including 24-hour webcast, astronomical observation and observation with large telescopes scattered around the world. The core goal is to let as many people as possible observe the sky through telescopes and witness with their own eyes what Galileo saw that year-four Galileo satellites orbiting Jupiter. This activity will be carried out together with the "Night Activity". By blacking out the cities that pass by at night all over the world, people will realize that the magnificent but usually neglected night sky is an important cultural resource (pay attention to safety and public security issues in the process).
2. galileo telescope
After international year of astronomy in 2009, the self-made galileo telescope can keep the participants interested in astronomy, especially those who can't afford commercial telescopes. In 2009, we will let 65438+ ten million people experience their first telescope observation. This goal can be achieved as long as 65,438+10,000 amateur observers each show it to 100 people. Millions of small telescopes are sold every year, but it seems that most of them are rarely used for astronomical observation. A worldwide "Telescope Amnesty" campaign will encourage people to bring their rarely used telescopes to the activities of the Year of Astronomy. Astronomers will tell them how to use them and give suggestions on maintenance, improvement and replacement, so that more people can keep this hobby. We encourage all international year of astronomy participants to hold similar activities in 2009, so as to achieve the goal of making 65,438+1100 million people observe through telescopes for the first time.
3. Cosmic Diary
This project is not just about astronomy; Not just astronomers. Professional astronomers will use words and pictures to record their lives, families, friends, hobbies, interests and jobs-their latest research findings and challenges. The cosmic diary project hopes to show the human side of astronomy and let blogs record the sunny side of astronomers around the world. They come from five continents and speak different languages. At work, they are directors, observers, graduate students, scholarship applicants, instrument manufacturers and data analysts. After leaving the observatory, laboratory or office, they are musicians, photographers, athletes, mothers or amateur astronomers.
4. Universe Portal
Astronomy is developing rapidly, and new achievements are produced every day, often breaking news. The diagrams used are invisible in other fields, as well as annotations and animation simulation. With the rapid development of other industries in the electronic information market, such as games and entertainment, mass astronomical reports have developed rapidly. The public needs more information, better photos and more complete videos about planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial phenomena. Publishers, educators, scientists and many laymen need a window to know what happens every day, which requires a one-stop entrance to the global astronomical resources. Modern technology (such as RSS subscription and VAMP, virtual astronomical media project) makes it possible to provide renewable information services through a single interface. The universe portal will have a simple and clear catalogue, including observatories, astronomical facilities, astronomical societies, amateur astronomical societies, space artists, scientific report groups, astronomical news, photo and video aggregation websites, and astronomical multimedia interconnection tools based on Web 2.0. The global astronomical network interface will make full use of massive astronomical media resources including news, pictures, charts, animations, movies, podcasts and vodcasts.
She is an astronomer.
In 2009, international year of astronomy also plans to contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, one of which is "promoting gender equality and improving the status of women". About a quarter of astronomers are women, and this field continues to attract women to join and benefit from it. However, there are great regional differences. Some countries have no female astronomers at all, and some countries have more than 50%. Moreover, the drop-out rate of women is very high, which shows that the overall atmosphere is not good for female scientists. Gender equality is a concern of the whole scientific community, which has nothing to do with the region, but the problems and difficulties vary from place to place. The "She is an Astronomer" activity in the Year of Astronomy will provide a platform for solving problems.
Activities will include the following:
The universal portal will provide a list of links, including existing regional and national programmes and activities that support women scientists, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and bonuses and positions.
Part of the project will appear in Cosmic Magazine to record the work and life of female researchers.
The project will seek to cooperate with the launched plan to provide positions for female scientists to support their careers.
The Female Astronomer Ambassador Program will pass the information of this project to girls in high schools and universities.
6. Dark sky
Now, it is more urgent than ever to protect the dark night sky in the world cultural heritage and natural heritage areas. Urban green space, national parks and observatory stations are also the support for UNESCO to protect astronomical sites for future generations. For this project, IAU cooperates with the National Optical Observatory of the United States, the International Night Alliance and other partners dedicated to night protection and environmental education to solve problems in related fields, such as mobilizing thousands of scientists in cities to measure the local night sky with naked eyes and digital sky quality meters (which have been successfully used in the global night sky project), holding star parties, researching new lighting technologies, supporting related literary works, and protecting health and ecology.
7. Astronomy and World Heritage
IAU has been cooperating with UNESCO in the research and education of astronomy and world heritage projects. The initial goal is to find architectural features, places, landscapes or other forms related to astronomical observation in human history, and to determine the course of scientific achievements and progress. The specific action flow is: identify, protect and develop these characteristics. This project helps to identify the features related to astronomy around the world and preserve this memory to avoid extinction. This activity needs the support of international organizations throughout the astronomical year to protect these sometimes fragile heritages.
8. Galileo teacher training program
At present, astronomical education resources are quite rich, most of which are digital and can be obtained free of charge through the Internet. But experienced educators and communicators will find the missing link: let educators know about these resources and use them in practical teaching. In order to continue the achievements of international year of astronomy in 2009, IAU established Galileo teacher training program with the heads of countries and other fields (such as the Global Practical Universe Project, the National Optical Observatory of the United States and the Pacific Astronomical Society) to pool global resources and improve teachers' abilities. The goal of this plan is to establish a global teaching network through certified ambassador Galileo by 20 12. Teaching automatic optics, radio telescopes, network cameras,
China Beijing won the right to host the 28th International Astronomical Union Congress Atlas.
Astronomical practice, interdisciplinary resources, image processing and digital universe (network and desktop observatory) and many other topics.
9. Feel the universe
Feeling the universe is an international promotion activity, which aims to help children from poor families feel the beauty of the universe. This activity can broaden children's horizons, stimulate their curiosity about science and give them a broader mind. Specially designed games, songs, cartoons, hands-on activities and online communication enable children over 4 years old to interact with UNAWE communities around the world. This activity also enables working groups from different disciplines to exchange ideas and materials through the Internet. Feeling the activities of the universe will provide every child with the most imaginative, exciting and interesting pictures in the universe.
10, Viewing the Universe from the Earth-Astronomical Photo Exhibition
The image of the universe has a suffocating charm. Astronomy touches the biggest philosophical question facing mankind: where do we come from? Where are you going? How did life come into being? Is it unique in the universe? Space is one of the biggest challenges in human history: this unpredictable stage is full of abnormal, mysterious, special and complicated strange phenomena. The attraction of astronomy to ordinary people largely comes from these wonders of the universe. These popular images not only intoxicated the public with the beauty of virtual reality, but also inspired them to explore the scientific knowledge behind it. International year of astronomy in 2009 is an unprecedented opportunity to show astronomy to the whole world. The exhibition "The Universe from the Earth" arranged during the period will bring these pictures to places that have not appeared frequently before, such as art galleries, public galleries, shopping centers and open parks, so that more people can see them.
1 1, current and future international astronomical networks
In 2009, international year of astronomy will promote the emergence of an international astronomical exchange network, and make the role and value of science and astronomy in human society universally recognized and become a consistent goal. The International Astronomical Congress has established and supported a network of professional and amateur astronomers and astrophysicists all over the world, giving them the opportunity to share their information resources. The network composed of at least hundreds of national and regional astronomical organizations will also be preserved as the results of the Year of Astronomy. There will be many national activities in international year of astronomy in 2009: after nine months of physical activities, there will be network activities. At present, more than 90 countries have joined online activities, and it is estimated that the number will eventually exceed 140, accounting for 97% of the global population.
International year of astronomy-Millennium Development Goals
International year of astronomy 2009 and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, international year of astronomy 2009 is the first activity for all people in the world. It is dedicated to conveying the excitement of exploration and discovery and the joy of knowledge sharing, so that people can acquire knowledge about the universe and our position in the universe. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals are the grand blueprint recognized by every country and top development research institutions. The International Year of Astronomy can concretize the precious resources of mankind and contribute to the four Millennium Goals.
Help provide a unified primary education.
In 2009, international year of astronomy improved the level of primary education by providing basic knowledge of astronomy to primary school teachers and students all over the world. The night sky showed everyone the same excitement. We just need to guide them to understand what they see and find. Providing the same opportunities to acquire knowledge will promote the development of international cooperation in scientific research and application, and in a broader sense, it will help developing countries catch up with the western world.
Help to eliminate poverty and hunger In developing countries, the progress of science and technology is often accompanied by the growth of economic income, which in turn reduces poverty and forms a good and relaxed political environment. International year of astronomy hopes to enhance the influence of astronomical groups in developing countries through international cooperation, and these small advances will eventually promote the scientific, technological and economic progress of developing countries.
In order to improve the status of women and promote gender equality, one of international year of astronomy's goals is to balance the gender ratio of scientists and give more consideration to the voices of minority groups in the fields of science and engineering. Gender equality is a concern of the whole scientific community, which has nothing to do with the region. However, in different regions and countries, the difficulties are different, so the Year of Astronomy has launched special activities to meet the needs of this region.
The establishment of global partnership and national development partly depend on the development of basic science and the application of practical technology. The International Astronomical Conference has established a network of professional and amateur astronomers and astrophysicists all over the world, giving them the opportunity to share their information resources. So as to deliver information to the required projects and applications.
-Refer to the source interactive encyclopedia entry "international year of astronomy"