Live 24-hour observatory webcast and 100 hours of sidewalk astronomy events
“100 Hours of Astronomy”, one of the IYA2009 Global Cornerstone Projects, ramps up. Project addresses to amateur astronomers, educators, professional astronomers, planetaria, science centres and more to arrange events around the world during this 4-day period and to publicise them now on the project website."100 Hours of Astronomy" is the single largest event taking place during IYA2009. It is a worldwide celebration composed of a broad range of activities aimed at involving the public. The event will take place over four days and nights from 2–5 April 2009.
The two highest profile activities are a live 24-hour observatory webcast from the largest telescopes in the world, and 100 hours of sidewalk astronomy events.
Mike Simmons, Co-Chair, elaborates: "This 100 Hours of Astronomy project is key to the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Astronomers are known for their enthusiasm and love of sharing knowledge, which are the main ingredients of 100 Hours of Astronomy. It's going to be an amazing time, as nothing of this scale has been attempted before. Every participant will be making history!"
iau0904bmic.jpgTo keep track of developments and to promote sidewalk astronomy events effectively during the 100 hours, events are registered on www.100hoursofastronomy.org. Hundreds of activities have already been added, and the number is expected to balloon to even more impressive levels over the coming weeks. Anyone can set up an event, whether it is screening astronomy videos for a few hours on a single day or a 100-hour marathon event; only imagination sets the limit.
Douglas Pierce-Price, 100 Hours of Astronomy Co-Chair, notes: "Every day we receive information about more events planned during the 100-hour window. The list is getting longer and pins are popping up all over our map of the world!"
The 100 Hours of Astronomy Opening Event will take place on 2 April 2009 at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, USA. Hosted by US national spokesman Derrick Pitts and featuring world-renowned Galileo expert Dr. Paolo Galluzzi, the interactive educational event will showcase Galileo's original telescope - the telescope first trained on the night skies - on loan for an exclusive exhibition entitled "Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy". There will also be a live science centre webcast discussing hot topics in astronomy.
For more details please visit the website 100hoursofastronomy.org
