Getting the Word Out!

The U.S. project office for IYA2009 is beginning to ramp up our promotional efforts, as the national key projects and major events are starting to solidify.  One recent highlight was discussion of IYA2009 and the Galileoscope telescope kit on National Public Radio (NPR) Science Friday on September 19.  [MP3]

Read more in the 400 Years of the Telescope Newsletter Host Ira Flatow was in Tucson to report on the latest findings from the Phoenix Mars Lander, and wanted to spend a bit of time talking about the natural appeal of astronomy in Arizona.  He invited US IYA2009 Single-Point-of-Contact Doug Isbell on the show, along with Adam Block of the University of Arizona’s Mount Lemon SkyCenter, to talk about public outreach at Kitt Peak National Observatory, dark skies issues, and what’s ahead for IYA2009. Although the 17-minute segment was fairly brief, there was obvious interest in the Galileoscope IYA2009 cornerstone project, and what it can do to bring the wonders of the night sky to new audiences, so that everyone can “do what Galileo did.”  GLOBE at Night and related star-counting activities were also discussed.  More than two dozen inquiries and other messages of support have been received since the program aired. See here for some information on the show and some related links  and here for a link to the podcast of the episode, which can be downloaded to your favorite mp3 file player . This website site received a major design upgrade recently to better match the new international site and to turn its focus from the planning effort to more direct support for public information and events.  Check it out, and help us add content, images, and details about your plans for the year! Send your content to newmedia@astronomy2009.us Finally, plans are shaping up for a U.S. IYA2009 opening event on Tuesday evening, January 6, at the American Astronomical Society winter meeting in Long Beach, CA, including the world premiere of “400 Years of the Telescope.”  Watch this space for more details.