Sep 9th, 2008
IYA Preview at Dragon*Con
On Labor Day weekend the city of Atlanta, Georgia, was invaded by approximately 45,000 Science Fiction, Science Fantasy, and Science fans. Mixed in with this swarming mass of costumed individuals, movie and television stars, and writers were a handful of astronomers. Drs Pamela L. Gay, Phil Plait, Bill Keel, and Kevin Grazier, along with IYA’s Doug Isbell were there to talk about astronomy and introduce people to the upcoming International Year of Astronomy.
[Read me about this and other IYA topics in the 400 Years of the Telescope Newsletter]
At this conference, dozens of talks touched on Astronomy, and several 1000 buttons and fliers promoting IYA were distributed from a booth, and in the Space, Podcasting, and Skeptisim tracks. The IYA booth was centrally located between the main vendor rooms and provided IYA team members a great oppurtunity to communicate our ideas for next year to con attendees and hear what people had to say. Everyone seemed to be excited about next year and we can’t wait to return in 2009 and share with all our new friends all the things we’re able to accomplish.
While at Dragon*Con we snapped many pictures of heros and monsters, actors, and regular Joes all visiting our booth. Check them out on Flickr! 
