INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
1919 - 2019
Great Success for the 100 Hours of Astronomy Global Event
15 January 2019
Participants of the 100 Hours of Astronomy activity in Indore, India form the number 100 in support of IAU100.
Credit: IIT Indore Astronomy Club.
Over 1200 astronomy activities took place across 85 countries worldwide from 10-13 January 2019.
To kick off the centennial IAU100 celebrations in 2019, the 100 Hours of Astronomy event brought together amateur and professional astronomers, astronomy enthusiasts and the general public to share their enthusiasm for astronomy and space.
From 10-13 January, various innovative and inclusive astronomy activities were organised around the world in support of the general goals of the IAU100 initiative in promoting the key role of astronomy for development, education, outreach and diplomacy. From a music concert in Chile, space fashion conference in Italy, star-gazing for high school girls in Nigeria, star parties in the United States of America and a telescope workshop for children in Japan, the events inspired participants around the world with the wonders of astronomy. Other organised activities include conferences, talks, sky observations, classroom projects, movie screenings, art projects, and more. To see the complete list of registered activities that took place, see the registered events page of the 100 Hours of Astronomy website.
Activity participants and event organisers shared their enthusiasm for astronomy on social media by using the hashtags #IAU100 and #100HoursOfAstronomy. To view pictures that were shared and submitted by event organisers and participants, please visit the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Flickr page.
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Children participating in the 100 Hours of Astronomy event in Ethiopia, using the telescope awarded by the IAU100 telescope contest.
Credit: Mekbeb Tamrat
Winners of the 100 Hours of Astronomy telescope contest also organised events that used their Bresser Refractor telescopes that were signed by astronauts and IAU president Ewine van Dishoeck to support their astronomy educational activities with children around the world. These activities were held in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nicaragua, Peru, Serbia, Syria and Uganda. Some event organisers will also be selected as winners for various prize packages.
Following the success of the 100 Hours of Astronomy, we will organise another global star-party event on 20 July 2019 and we would like to invite event organisers to conduct a variety of activities in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing. This project aims to encourage people worldwide to participate by organising Moon observations and activities that highlight the global impact of the lunar missions. Event organisers will also be eligible for a variety of prizes. Activities are already being registered for this event and more information will be available soon.
Contact
Bethany Downer
Coordinator of the 100 Hours of Astronomy event
Jorge Rivero González
IAU100 Coordinator
rivero@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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