This very successful fund-raising promotion has now ended. Our thanks to all AWB supporters who purchased one of these apps during the promotional period. 100% of the funds raised will go towards continuing and building AWB's global programs.

Take a look at the all the great AWB supporters who helped spread the word!

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Support AWB's Global Astronomy Programs and Get Great Software at a Great Price

Astronomers Without Borders' worldwide astronomy programs are about to get a boost from Southern Stars, developer of the popular SkySafari 3 apps for Apple devices and Mac OS X.  During a special promotional from now until December 8, 40% of proceeds from all SkySafari sales will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders to support Global Astronomy Month and other AWB global programs. With significant discounts on all three SkySafari 3 app versions - Basic, Plus and Pro - any sky enthusiast with an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Mac can now get these award-winning apps at a great price - and help build AWB's worldwide astronomy community at the same time.

Astronomers Without Borders is pleased to announce the appointment of Stanley Weinstein as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Stanley is recently retired after 42 years in the nonprofit sector, having served as President of Stanley Weinstein & Co. and providing services for more than 300 nonprofit organizations throughout the US.  Stanley has authored acclaimed books on fundraising for non-profits including The Complete Guide to Fundraising Management and Capital Campaigns from the Ground Up.  Impressed with the work of Astronomers Without Borders since first meeting Mike Simmons during the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009), Stanley has made Astronomers Without Borders his primary philanthropic interest, devoting substantial volunteer time and financial support to the organization.  Stanley replaces AWB's Founder, Mike Simmons, as Chairman.  Mike remains as AWB President and CEO.

“The Island,” a time-lapse video by internationally known photographer and AWB supporter Christoph Malin, was featured August 15 on the National Geographic website. The video shows, in time-lapse motion, the stunning vistas of La Palma in the Spanish Canary Islands, some 62 miles off the African coast.

Deirdre Kelleghan, AWB National Coordinator for Ireland, has been honored with Science magazine’s prestigious SPORE (Science Project for Online Resources in Education) award for her work in opening up the wonders of the universe to schoolchildren.  Science magazine is the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

 

 

Live partial solar eclipse webcast 4 January 2011

The new year 2011 begins with a big celestial event, a partial solar eclipse, and Bareket Observatory in Israel will broadcast it to the world live on January 4.  The Moon will encroach 60% into the solar disk during the special live webcast.

This month, Astronomers Without Borders will help the global public enjoy two special night-sky events—the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks on December 13-14; and a total eclipse of the Moon on the night of December 20-21.

Save the Dates: April 2011 is Global Astronomy Month

April 2011 will again be a busy month for amateur and professional astronomers, educators and astronomy enthusiasts as Global Astronomy Month (GAM) returns for its second edition. The annual event, organized by Astronomers Without Borders, celebrates the Universe in the spirit of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 cornerstone project "100 Hours of Astronomy."

Astronomy clubs, science centers, schools, educators, and other astronomy enthusiasts worldwide are invited to reserve dates in April 2011 for public outreach, hands-on activities, observing sessions and more while sharing the enthusiasm with others across the globe during Global Astronomy Month. Everyone is invited either to join the global programs or initiate their own activities during April 2011.

John Dobson, popularizer of the widely-used Dobsonian telescope design that now bears his name, was interviewed by AWB President Mike Simmons in the first episode of a new series of webcasts, Astronomers Without Borders' Living Legend Series on Saturday, November 13. Watch the program

The World at Night (TWAN), a Special Project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 administered by Astronomers Without Borders, is featured on the web site of the flagship news program of the USA's Public Broadcasting System, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. The feature includes a slide show and interviews of AWB President Mike Simmons, TWAN Director Babak Tafreshi and TWAN photographer Wally Pacholka. Coverage of one of 24 exhibitions in shopping malls around the nation accompanies the slide show.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 has sprung up several surprises. Some of them included star parties between two different countries at the same venue. For the first time, an actual star party was held on the Ground Zero between two different countries, which was also attended by the security forces of each country.

Seasons without Borders is a new project developed by AWB Affiliates in Brazil, India and Iraq. On June 21, 2009 the Sun will reach its most northern point in our sky, marking the beginning of summer north of the equator and the beginning of winter in the south.  AWB Affiliate groups will gather to view the shadow falling on a sundial or even just a stick put into the ground.  They'll connect with other Affiliates to share their observations from different parts of the world.  All AWB Affiliates are invited to join in.

The AWB Gallery is ready for you to use!  You can upload pictures to these categories: IYA, Astronomical Pictures, Equipment, Educational Activities, Projects (currently including 100 Hours of Astronomy, and The Sky at Night), and Starparties.

There is a how-to guide for viewing and uploading Pictures to the Gallery, which you can find both on the Forum under "Introduction to the AWB Website" , and also as a FAQ.

There are also FAQs for registering and logging in, and for using the AWB Forum.