International Year of Astronomy 2009, United States Node

An Infrared View of Saturn
Erich Karkoschka (University of Arizona), and NASA

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.

Feb 27th, 2009

Biosphere 2 and IYA

Biosphere 2 in Oracle north of Tucson, Arizona, hosted a crowd of 75 people for a ceremonial unveiling of a NASA Great Observatories multiwavelength image of the galaxy M101 in honor of IYA2009 on Saturday, Feb. 21. The informative 45-minute session featuring speakers including Travis Huxman, the director of Biosphere 2, University of Arizona (UA) astronomer George Rieke, who told the story of the Great Observatories program back to its roots, and Adam Block from the UA Mount Lemmon Sky Center public observing program. US IYA2009 SPoC Doug Isbell gave an overview of IYA, with handouts on the Galileoscope and GLOBE at Night 2009, which is coming soon from March 16-28. To see the NASA images, visit this website.

Feb 15th, 2009

Arp’s Atlas on Display in Oregon

The Schneider Museum of Art at Southern Oregon University is presenting 30 full-color images of some of the most unusual galaxies known, along with astronomical-themed works from some of the country’s leading artists, inspired by the book The Arps Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies: A Chronicle and Observer’s Guide. Complementing the science side of the show are fifteen American artists who also look to the heaven for inspiration and insight. To learn about this project and others at this Museum, read more here.

Also new at IYA US

Each month join Epo on an adventure across the Universe. The first two episodes are here for your enjoyment. Come back March 2 for the next adventure!

Past News

Feb 15th, 2009

Bridging Nations: Cuba, Alabama and IYA

For nearly a decade, the College for Arts and Sciences of the University of Alabama has built relationships with Cuban institutions (particularly the University of Havana). Fostered by Dean Robert Olin, this “Cuba Initiative” has involved groups of faculty traveling to Cuba, visiting scholars making the opposite trip, and eventually a semester-long study term for [...]

Go out and Look Up!

Comet Lulin
The first big comet of 2009 is Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin). Discovered back in 2007, this icy orb is on its way into our neck of the solar system and during the month of February will grow bright enough to see with your unaided eye. Passing through the constellation Libra, this object [...]