October 2009
IYA2009's Galilean Nights
People around the world are turning their attention to the heavens at more than 1000 events 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 IYA2009 Cornerstone Project taking place 22-24 October. You have experienced the sense of awe and wonder that Galileo must have felt. Now share it with others. See the Galilean Nights web site for more information and to register your events.
Don't forget that Astronomy Day is on 24 October this year, during the Galilean Nights celebration. And Astronomy Week runs through 24 October. There are plenty of reasons to get out and share your sky with others this month! And if you haven't participated in the Great World-Wide Star Count yet you have just through 23 October to take part in this worldwide citizen science effort.
Inaugural AWB Remote Observing Session
AWB Affiliates and others -- 650 people in all from 45 countries around the world spent two hours scanning the skies together during AWB's first remote observing event. Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescopein Italy ran a session that included a live view inside the observatory and the desktop of the control computer showing just what was happening as the telescope was moved, the camera was configured and the images were exposed and viewed. A chat box was also available for comments and questions for Gianluca, and discussions between participants. This was the first of many such sessions to come and it served as an important and very successful test. New programs are being created around the use of this technology and its great potential to bring people from around the world together to share the sky with each other. A report on the session is available on the AWB web site, including a link to The Virtual Observatory's web site page where a streaming video of the entire session can be viewed.
First International Earth and Sky Photo Contest Continues
The first International Earth and Sky photo contest, a collaboration of AWB's The World at Night (TWAN) and IYA2009's Cornerstone Project Dark Skies Awareness is still open to entries. 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. 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
More Great TWAN Images!
The team of expert landscape astrophotographers of The World at Night (TWAN), an AWB project and a Special Project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, continues to add images to the project's unprecedented collection. More than 1200 images of Earth and sky together, from 47 countries on every continent, are now on display in various galleries on the TWAN web site.
TWAN Director Wins Presitigious Award
Babak Tafreshi, Director of The World at Night, has been co-winner of the of the 2009 Lennart Nilsson Award, the world’s most prestigious distinction in scientific photography. Tafreshi shares the 2009 award with planetary scientist Carolyn Porco. The official announcement states that the two are being recognized for "their photographic work which -- each from its own perspective -- recalls humankind's place in the universe." Read more here.
TWAN Web Site Records 3 Million Hits
The web site of The World at Night has recorded 3 million hits since its debut less than two years ago. The web site was launched on 24 December 2007, and the next day NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day featured an iconic image of Monument Valley taken by TWAN photographer Wally Pacholka. The TWAN team of expert landscape astrophotographers continues to add to the collection, bringing regular visitors back from around the world.
IYA2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach
Did your organization or someone you know make an outstanding contribution to the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009)? IYA2009 is now soliciting nominations and submissions for the IYA2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach. The award, made possible by the generosity of IYA2009 Patron Dr. Mani Bhaumik, will recognize the most interesting projects and activities of IYA2009. Information can be found at http://www.astronomy2009.org/resources/prize.
Update Your Affiliate Profile
If you registered as an AWB Affiliate more than two months ago remember to update your profile. A problem you may have encountered filling in the description of your group has been solved and descriptions of up to about 900 characters long can now be entered for others to learn more about your group. It's simple to log in and edit your profile. Just be sure you're including text only -- no underlying codes -- and don't paste directly from a Word document or web page (simply export to text first). If you need help write to Account Support to be sure all your information is available to the rest of the growing AWB community.
If you didn't upload your group's logo be sure to update your profile with that as well. It's a good way to represent your group in Affiliate listings. As always, write to Account Support if you need any assistance with this.
AWB's Global Community
National Coordinators
As announced last month, Astronomers Without Borders is reorganizing its regions worldwide and designating National Coordinators who will recruit Affiliates and organize groups and projects in their countries, and represent their countries in the AWB global community. If you are interested in being the National Coordinator for your country, or can recommend someone you have worked with, write to Thilina Heenatigala, the manager of the reorganization project.
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 the publication of the September Newsletter, along with their countries:
SXT 94, Sri Lanka
Astronomical Society Of Kermanshah - Sirius, Iran
Amateur Astronomers Association of Surat, India
AGA, Guatemala
Cosmos Safari, India
Afghanistan Astronomy Association (AAA), Afghanistan
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.
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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