International Year of Astronomy 2009, United States Node

Crab Nebula: a Dead Star Creates Celestial Havoc
NASA, ESA, CXC, JPL-Caltech, J. Hester and A. Loll (Arizona State Univ.), R. Gehrz (Univ. Minn.), and STScI

Welcome To IYA

In the year 2009, the world celebrated the International Year of Astronomy as it commemorated the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to study the skies, and Kepler's publication of Astronomia Nova. 2009 was also the anniversary of many other historic events in science, including Huygen's 1659 publication of Systema Saturnium. This is modern astronomy's quadricentennial, and the 2009 Year of Astronomy is be an international celebration of numerous astronomical and scientific milestones. Events are still being planned, and you are invited to tell us how you want to celebrate. This page is a product of the U.S. 2009 IYA team, and we want to help you make 2009 a year long celebration to remember.

Spread the word: the Universe is yours to discover. Celebrate IYA 2009.

Many International Year of Astronomy Programs Continuing

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is closing with a full moon, a "Blue Moon" that seems a fitting conclusion to such an event-filled year.

We would like to thank everyone for the many hours of dedicated volunteer time that went into making IYA2009 such a huge success! Although IYA2009 is coming to an end, many programs and events will be continuing. Please download a listing of the Continuing Programs as well as a Calendar of Astronomy Events that are coming up in 2010 and beyond.

Mar 17th, 2008

400 Years of the Telescope, March Newsletter

The 400 Years of the Telescope IYA partner project has come out with their March 2008 newsletter! Please go check it out. Topics covered include:

Shooting Historical Reenactments: Galileo at Arcetri
Subaru Telescope Searches Near and Far
IYA2009 News
The GLOBE at Night Campaign: Improving Dark Skies Awareness
Donald Goldsmith: Teacher and Science Popularizer
From the US IYA 2009 Committee
The Man who would be Galileo…
Krista Shelby: An Intercontinental Internship
The Astronomical League: We are amateur astronomy today!
Stunning Wallpaper Images from the 400 YofT Production Gallery

Download the current newsletter here. (PDF)

Mar 3rd, 2008

You’re Invited to IYA Planning at AAS-ASP

Do you have IYA on your mind? Do you have ideas? Are you working on planning? Do you want to meet up face-to-face with other people who are also thinking about IYA? If you answered yes to any of these questions (and we’re hoping you answered yes to all of them!), then you should attend the IYA meeting in St Louis May 31 – June 4. Abstracts are now being accepted here through March 12, and registration is available here through May 31.

Past News

Mar 17th, 2008

400 Years of the Telescope, March Newsletter

The 400 Years of the Telescope IYA partner project has come out with their March 2008 newsletter! Please go check it out. Topics covered include:

Shooting Historical Reenactments: Galileo at Arcetri
Subaru Telescope Searches Near and Far
IYA2009 News
The GLOBE at Night Campaign: Improving Dark Skies Awareness
Donald Goldsmith: Teacher and [...]