September 2009
Ongoing Programs
Inaugural AWB Remote Observing Session
Meet with other AWB Affiliates from around the world for two hours of scanning the skies together. AWB's first remote observing event is open to all AWB Affiliate groups. The Virtual Telescope, a remotely-operated observatory run by Dr. Gianluca Masi in Italy, allows you to log in and take part in this online star party. Share the sky with others from around the world in real time! This will be the first of many such sessions to come. Interested individuals are welcome for this important first session as well. See the special page on the AWB web site for information. But hurry -- this special session will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 19.00 UT.
First International Earth and Sky Photo Contest Open to All
AWB's The World at Night (TWAN), a Special Project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), has teamed up with IYA2009's Cornerstone Project Dark Skies Awareness for the first international Earth and Sky Photo Contest. Inspired by images created by the TWAN team of expert landscape astrophotographers, which display the Earth and sky together, the contest is meant to boost awareness of the importance of dark skies to all of humanity, a precious resource that is endangered by increasing light pollution. But you don't have to be an expert to enter the contest. Get all the information on the AWB web site's Earth and Sky Photo Contest page.
The World at Night Exhibitions Tour the USA
AWB's The World at Night (TWAN) continues to please audiences around the world with new exhibitions. A set of 24 new exhibitions touring the United States has gained particular attention from news media. The Public Broadcasting System's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer has created a special web-only feature (introduced on-air during the program) featuring a slide show, interviews with TWAN Director Babak Tafreshi, AWB President Mike Simmons and TWAN photographer Wally Pacholka and coverage of one of the exhibitions. TWAN continues to grow in other countries as well. See the TWAN site for the latest news and the TWAN blog.
Say Hello!
Is your group new to Astronomers Without Borders? Introduce your group to other Affiliates around the world on the AWB forum. Post an introduction to tell others about yourself and your group. We're all interested in hearing from you and hearing what you're doing -- that's why we've all joined Astronomers Without Borders!
IYA2009's Galilean Nights
People around the world will turn their attention to the heavens in celebration of Galileo's observations made 400 years ago -- observations that revolutionized our view of the Universe. All AWB Affiliates are encouraged to take part in this new IYA2009 Cornerstone Project taking place 22-24 October 2009. You have shared in the sense of awe and wonder that Galileo must have felt. Now you can share it with others. See the Galilean Nights web site for information.
World Space Week
Join many other AWB Affiliates in celebrating World Space Week on 4-10 October. World Space Week commemorates the first orbiting satellite, the USSR's Sputnik launched on 4 October 1957 that began the "Space Age", and the United Nations treaty concerning peaceful uses of space signed on 10 October, 1967. It's a great time to reach out to the public with any space-related theme. See the World Space Week web site for information.
Update Your Affiliate Profile
Because of a problem with the way data was stored, many recent Affiliates hit a limit on the length of the description of their groups much too soon. The problem has been corrected and descriptions can now be up to about 900 characters long. If your description was cut off by this problem you can log in and edit your profile to provide a better description for others to see. Be sure you're including text only -- no underlying codes. Be careful not to paste directly from a Word document or web page but export to text first. If you need help write to Account Support.
We've noticed that few new Affiliates are uploading their logos when they register. You can always add your logo later by updating your profile. It's a good way to represent your group in Affiliate listings. Did you have a problem uploading your logo when you registered? Please let us know by writing to Account Support.
AWB's Global Community
New Regional and National Organization
Astronomers Without Borders is organizing more regions worldwide, with some existing regions splitting into several. It's all a part of AWB's growing global team and network of Affiliates. Regional Working Groups and National Coordinators will work with existing and new Regional Coordinators, and new sections for each AWB region around the world are taking shape on the AWB web site. Look for more participation, more languages and more opportunities to meet others around the world who share our sky.
New Affiliates
Do you know of groups in your area who might want to join AWB? Let them know about us and bring them into the growing global community. Programs are continuing to take shape and we want to bring in as many groups as possible from every nation on our planet.
These are the Affiliates that have joined Astronomers Without Borders since July along with their countries:
SARM - Romanian Society for Meteors and Astronomy, Romania
Sky Watchers' Association of North Bengal (SWAN), India
The Lunar Society Italia, Italy
Collectors' Quest, USA
Palembang Astronomers Community, Indonesia
Astronomy Amateur Association of USTC, China
LAG - Linzer Astronomische Gemeinschaft, Austria
Ivoir' Astro, Cote d'Ivoire
Montgomery County Astronomy Club, USA
Astronomers Without Borders Zambia, Zambia
The Virtual Telescope Project, Italy
Astronomy.fm, USA
A Sky Full of Stars, USA
Model Rocketry Club, India
Supporting AWB
Sponsorship Opportunities
Astronomers Without Borders is seeking partners for its activities. As a rapidly growing organization that has received worldwide attention and expressions of interest, AWB is well-positioned for continuing growth and exposure with current and planned programs, with significant potential for online and media exposure in general and specialized media. For information contact AWB President Mike Simmons.
Support AWB Online
AWB is now accepting donations with credit cards and through PayPal. Vist AWB's Donations page and become a supporter with a few clicks of your mouse. Astronomers Without Borders is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit charitable organization and donations in the USA may be tax-deductible.
LEGOZoom Provides Travel Grant
We wish to gratefully acknowledge the support of Lego Zoom International, a Brazil-based educational foundation partnering with Lego Corporation, for its support in ensuring AWB's participation at the triennial world conference of the International Astronomical Union in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August. Lego Zoom's innovative, highly successful educational programs reach more than one million students throughout Brazil.
Past Newsletters
Past editions of the AWB newsletter are now available on the AWB web site the Downloads section in PDF format.
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