2009 is the International Year of Astronomy

I just read from Sky and Telescope that next year (that’s next, next year, but it’s so close that I’m gonna call it next year) is the International Year of Astronomy <insert trumpets here>.

I’m not sure what to make of this. Part of me will be happy to have some excuse for getting in people’s faces and forcing them to look through my eyepiece, and another part of me is saying… ‘huh?’

Every year we have an Astronomy Day celebration when we give the general public its annual star-fix. A few people usually trudge over to the local observatory, planetarium or university to see the goings-on, look at the Sun and listen to some talks.

My experience is that they are great fun for me, but I’ve always wondered about the general public. The attendance of the ones I’ve been to have been kinda disappointing.

So, what’s so great about the International Year of Astronomy?

From Rick Fienberg of Sky and Telescope:

As I see it, there’s one activity that should be at the top of every nation’s list: giving participants a chance to look through a telescope. In my experience, nothing else is as effective in turning people on to astronomy. Amateur astronomers can play a huge role in this. IYA 2009 offers our best chance ever to show the rest of the world why we love astronomy so much. Let’s make the most of this opportunity! (Full Post).

OK, but I was gonna do that anyway. I love showing people stuff through my scope, but now, I can do it in the name of IYA 2009! Maybe we astronomy buffs can invent our own activity, whaddya think?

Sounds like there’s gonna be lots of fun to be had by all:

Gearing up for IYA 2009, nearly 100 countries have already established “national nodes” to coordinate planning among amateurs, professionals, educators, planetarians, and others interested in promoting astronomy. Many hundreds of enthusiasts are hard at work on dozens of exciting projects.

I’ll keep an eye out. Looks like I’ll have lots to blog about during that year.

There’s one thing I don’t understand though:

Now telescopes on the ground and in space explore the universe, 24 hours a day, across all wavelengths of light.” IAU president Catherine Cesarsky adds, “The International Year of Astronomy 2009 gives all nations a chance to participate in this ongoing exciting scientific and technological revolution.”

How is proclaiming a year to be the year of astronomy going to give nations a chance to participate in something they couldn’t before? Are there going to be resources made available to them for this year only? If so, what kind? Telescope time? CCD’s?

I guess they can participate by cheering the rest of us on. Proclaiming a ‘year of whatever’ isn’t going to suddenly give nations a chance to participate in that ‘whatever’ if they never did before unless you give them resources to do it.

Perhaps I’m misunderstanding something, it wouldn’t be the first time.

Here’s some links:

International Year of Astronomy 2009 Main Page
The U.S. Website (fondly called the U.S. node, oh those scientists), sponsored by the American Astronomical Society

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