Winners of the Second International Earth and Sky Photo Contest on Dark Skies Importance are announced. Two global programs of Astronomers Without Borders came together to organize this annual contest: The World at Night and Global Astronomy Month. Submissions to the contest had been received during the 2011 Global Astronomy Month (April). Submitted photographs were all taken since the beginning of 2010 and were all created in the “TWAN style”—showing both the Earth and the sky—by combining elements of the night sky set against the Earth horizon with backdrop of a notable location or landmark. This style of photography is called “landscape astrophotography.”

In conjunction with National Poetry Month (US) and Global Astronomy Month, The Fleischmann Planetarium and Tahoe Star Tours ran the "Poetry of the Starry Skies of Tahoe Astro-Poetry Contest" for students in two categories, grades K to 6 and 7 to 12. The contest was open till 16 April.

How the GAM logo made a trip to the Moon and back

To the right is the GAM 2011 logo looking a bit worn.  It should - this image has has been to the Moon and back.  After being sent by radio to the Moon and reflected off the Moon's surface, the weakened signal was retrieved on its return to Earth after its nearly half-million, 2.5 second trip at the speed of light.

Below is the story of how this GAM logo made it's incredible journey.

Global Astronomy Month 2011 has begun with events taking place worldwide.

The GAM Blog has launched.  The first article, The Universe, Ours to Discover, was contrinbuted by Astronomers Without Borders' Founder and President Mike Simmons who describes the road from IYA2009 to GAM 2011.  A great group of authors, outreach professionals and scientists have been invited to write for the GAM Blog throughout April.

If you have events during Global Astronomy Month, here are two posters to help you tell the public about all the exciting activities.


The posters are available for download by clicking on the above images.  Or go to the GAM Resources page where you can also find other useful material such as logos, banners, stickers and more.

If you’re still thinking about how to get involved in our global celebration of astronomy, we have 10 tips for you.

Poster credit: Ricardo Cardoso Reis.

Let everyone know about your events for Global Astronomy Month 2011 (GAM2011).

To register your event you must be logged in to an AWB user account.  Just click to register your event here. If you are not logged in you'll be taken to a page where you can log in or create an AWB user account before going on to the event registration page.

For detailed information on how to register your event, click on the “How to Register Your Event” Instruction page.

Important Notes for Successful Registration:

1. GAM events should be within the Global Astronomy Month dates of April 1-30.  If you have an event outside of these dates that is part of the Global Astronomy Month celebration please contact Jennie McCormick .
2. Check your Google Map “push pin” placement once your event has been registered.  If it is not placed correctly, first double-check the address you have entered for errors. You can also move the pin on the Google Map until it is correctly placed.