Global Astronomy Month

In April 2009, the 100 Hours of Astronomy (100HA) Cornerstone Project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) showed what the astronomy community can do working together. As the first truly global outreach event, amateur astronomers, clubs, science centers and others held events by the thousands around the world, attracting the largest public audience ever. The excitement was contagious as this unified global event, encouraging everyone to look skyward, swept the world.

Everyone wanted the excitement to continue, and now it will. Not just repeating 100HA, but something even bigger, built on 2009's global success.

Global Astronomy Month (GAM 2010) is Astronomers Without Border’s response. New ideas, new opportunities and more participation. Connecting people around the world in these events will create an even greater sense of sharing, just as in AWB’s motto and the slogan for GAM – One People, One Sky.

The global outreach community's enthusiasm and innovation was critical in making 100 Hours of Astronomy successful, and GAM will continue to bring together all that tens of thousands of enthusiasts worldwide have to offer.

	Deirdre Kelleghan, AWB National Coordinator for Ireland, is ready for GAM 2010. Are you?
The Global Astronomy Month logo is based on an original concept by Azhy Hasan (Iraq) and was created by Jessi Kingan (USA/Thailand) with significant input from many AWB leaders from around the world. Photo of Deirdre Kelleghan and telescope by Bernard Kelleghan.