http://astronomy2009.us Welcome to the Universe. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:36:15 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Although the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) comes to a formal close this weekend with a ceremony in Padua, Italy, numerous core programs conducted during the year will carry on in 2010 and beyond, including many led by educators and outreach professionals in the United States ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2010/01/11/beyond-iya2009-u-s-legacy-includes-telescope-kit-dark-skies-awareness-new-media-and-image-exhibitions/ Through the Dark Skies Rangers Program, students learn about the importance of dark skies and experience activities that illustrate proper lighting, light pollution's effects on wildlife, and how to measure the darkness of your skies. A highlight of the program is the citizen science project, GLOBE at Night ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2010/01/11/join-the-dark-skies-rangers-program/ (Click to view image in higher detail) Today, in celebration of Galileo's telescopic achievements and as part of the International Year of Astronomy, NASA has used its entire fleet of Great Observatories, and the Internet, to bring the center of our Galaxy to you. Pictured above, in greater detail and in more ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/11/11/great-observatories-explore-galactic-center/ Sidewalk Astronomy to Span the U.S. in Celebration of "Galileo Nights" Astronomy enthusiasts across the globe are breaking out their telescopes this weekend (October 22-24) in a coordinated  effort to help hundreds of thousands of people experience their own “Galileo moment” of awe and discovery when  seeing the planet Jupiter and ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/23/view-jupiter-better-than-galileo-did/   A centrepiece of the IYA2009 Dark Skies Awareness (DSA) Cornerstone project has been the citizen science programmes inviting children and the general public to find out how many stars are lost due to light pollution in their night sky. The DSA Task Group requests your help in spreading the word ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/21/join-the-great-world-wide-star-count-oct-9-23/ Twenty-four shopping centers in 18 states are celebrating IYA2009 with free exhibitions of photographs from The World at Night (TWAN), an IYA2009 Special Project. The photographs feature international landmarks shown at night under starry skies or celestial events. This is the largest set of TWAN exhibitions in the US to ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/19/u-s-shoppers-getting-great-deal-on-%e2%80%9cthe-world-at-night%e2%80%9d/ President Obama kicked off Astronomy Night on the South Lawn of the White House. Some 150 middle school students from the Washington area got to learn more about their universe using more than 20 telescopes provided by NASA and other organizations. They observed Jupiter, the moon and selected stars. Other ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/13/astronomy-night-at-the-white-house/ The University of Alabama's Museum of Natural History announces the opening of "From Earth to the Universe," a photographic exhibit on display in the Museum's Atrium Gallery. This exhibition stretches around the globe. This installation has the added feature of a research partnership with the new Planetario Habana in ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/13/from-%e2%80%98earth-to-the-universe%e2%80%99-exhibit-opens-at-ua-museum/ Looking for a space-related project to engage students with and participate in the 2009 International Year of Astronomy? Students for the Exploration and Development of Space is pairing up with the International Year of Astronomy to provide a contest geared towards educating students about the largest international cooperation project in ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/13/international-space-station-student-competition/ Join thousands of other students, families, and citizen scientists  counting stars in 2009 for the Great World Wide Star Count! This  international event encourages everyone to go outside, look skywards  after dark, count the stars they see in certain constellations, and report  what they see online. This Windows to the Universe citizen science  campaign is ... http://astronomy2009.us/blog/2009/10/06/great-world-wide-star-count-october-9-23/