The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.
Everyone should realise the impact of astronomy and other fundamental sciences on our daily lives, and understand how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society. IYA2009 activities will take place locally, nationally, regionally and internationally.
The night sky harbours countless marvels to make any human wonder about its existence. However, during half of the time our sky is dominated by the Sun. We are all familiar with its heat and light, and that it drowns out almost every other light above. Our Sun is by far the closest star to us. The Sun-Earth relation is a key point in understanding our relationship with the Universe. It serves as a paradigm of other Universe bodies. It represents an extremely rich and practical educational resource. It is important to every society. Its brightness facilities a wide range of educational activities that can be carried out in the daytime. Therefore, the Sun is the perfect point from which to begin our journey to the Universe.
The goal of this Task Group is to help the International Year of Astronomy 2009 with solar matters. It aims to communicate the link between the Sun and the rest of the Universe, and so the place of solar science in astronomy. Our means are the suggestion, organisation and support of solar related events for IYA2009 and being the reference desk for solar matters. Our network reaches every solar field and professional observing location.
Take a look to the Resources page or the News section to know more about upcoming events.
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Make it happen.
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I want to join and work with you in our remote place of India
Narendra gor
Kutch Amateurs Astronomers Club
Bhuj Kutch India
By: Narendra Gor on December 30, 2008
at 9:25 am
it is really importart that we as human beings we get to know further information and research more about our nearest star and our solar system i feel we have not reached our the limit yet there is more to discover about our universe.
By: melody mwewa on January 9, 2009
at 12:24 pm
I hope see the solar eclipse in 2009.
By: Taesuk Yoon on January 11, 2009
at 6:01 am
Taesuk Yoon, stay tuned for the solar eclipse. There are great news coming…
By: solarastronomy2009 on January 11, 2009
at 11:18 pm
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم
اتفدم بشكرى لهاذا الموقع المتخصص بعلم الفلك والفضاء
[Added by administrator:]
Google translates to:
“The of God, the Merciful
Peace be upon you
Hama Atvdm thanks to the site specialized in astronomy and space”
Thanks Mohmed Ail !
By: MOHMED AIL on January 15, 2009
at 1:04 pm
Awesome! I love this stuff. The solar and lunar eclipses bring in huge amounts of energy to the earth. They are so exciting.
By: Amy on February 13, 2009
at 1:13 pm
The Suntrek website has a new section on Observing the Sun safely at http://www.suntrek.org/classroom-resources/observing-the-Sun-safely.shtml
Take a look and let us know what you think about it.
By: Helen Mason on February 26, 2009
at 3:28 pm
This is a good initiative. The connection between the Sun and the rest of the Universe doesn’t get nearly the attention it should from people who are a part of it day in and day out. Long Live Solar Energy!
By: Wayne on February 27, 2009
at 3:46 am
kayseri de ki etkinliğin yeri nerede bilgilere nereden ulaşabilirim yardımcı olun
By: hatice on March 3, 2009
at 6:29 pm
The sun is my hobby since 1979.Sorry meanwhile
a very spotless sun.The sun give us power to look
a little bit deeper in the sunsurface.Let us work
together
By: schott,Gerd on March 4, 2009
at 8:24 pm
In the city of Aurangabad which globly famous for the beautiful AJANTA AND ELLORA CAVEs,our Organization that is Vaigyanik Janiva Praklap, Maharashtra Andha Shradha Nirmulan Samiti(ERADICATION OF SUPERSTITIONS,Society, have choosen one hundred schools and have alootted one astonoy project to each schoole.g Draw the Solar System, what is you weight on the earth and Jupitar,Moon, etc.In the first phase twenty five schools have presented their project,i.e, Mobile plantentarium model, Black Hole, White Ho;e, Worm Hole,description of each planet of the solar sytem,etc.The teachers from fifteen disability institutions in Aurangabad appreciated the program and voluteered to participate in the Project Exihibition held on 28th February 2009 that Dr,C.V,Raman’s Commmeration day called as the SCIENCE DAY ALL OVER INDIA.The students from hearing impaired istitution drew the map of the night sky for the month of January, Feb 2009.This they did it by using a dark black cloth and attached paper pin showin the costellation of star of course they won the prize but the appluse from the two hundred students in the Auditorium of Institution of Engineers , was deafing.Our next exhibition is schedule on 11th of April 2009 that is Saturday.
Students enthusiasium is live and we are trying to cope up with
Dr.Mangal.M.Dharwadkar,
B.N0.2 S.B.Colony(West),
Aurangpura, Aurangabad-431001
Maharashtra State India
Tel No 91-0240-2353146
By: Dr.Mangal.M.Dharawdkar,B.No.2.S.B.Colony(West)Aurangpura Aurangabad431001 Tel91-0240-2353146 on March 11, 2009
at 11:21 am
During the total solar eclipse on 22 July 2009, I wish to propose a campaign of shadow band experiement from western India locations in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. There are two scientific questions that this campaign will be aiming at, namely:
(1) How does shadow band intensity and duration vary as a function of distance from the centre of the eclipse totality? And
(2) How does intensity and duration of shadow band vary as a function of altitude of the eclipsing Sun?
Expected benefits of the campaign:
This campaign will have a definite scientific advantage in terms of the objectives outlined. Such an experiment has never been done and will be quite unique. In fact in most eclipse this was not possible and will probably be case for most eclipses in future too. This is a unique opportunity that we have just at our door step, so it should be exploited to the extent possible.
Additionally, this will also generate science awareness and curiosity about the nature among the students and public at large. To do this in the international year of astronomy would make it very appropriate campaign. This will have tremendous long term benifts for the science and astronomy in our country.
This will also educate the public that eclipses are not “DAIVIK PRAKOP of “RAHU and KETU” or divine fury of planetary demigods”. The eclipses are due to planetary size, location and motion. These can be very well understood and one should enjoy this beauty of natural phenomenon. These are astronomical events and help remove myth about these.
This will have a tremendous public out reach value and go very well with philosophy of International Astronomy Year (2009). This experiment is relatively simple and one of the very few experiments that are possible during total solar eclipse at low elevation. The students will learn how to plan and conduct an experiment.
Additional activities for the students:
Those who have no equipment to record shadow band may also be involved in the following ways:
(1) They can make notes of what is seen around just before, during and after the eclipse.
(2) Those good in drawing may sketch the shadow band patterns and mark the direction of motion etc. These will be very interesting to look and compare if there are good number of such entries.
(3) Some of them could record impressions of those seeing the phenomena.
(4) It is possible to record the variation of temperature during the eclipse and compare with the variations in the same time period on a day before and after the solar eclipse.
By: Hari Om Vats on March 17, 2009
at 5:33 am
Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo
By: RaiulBaztepo on March 29, 2009
at 12:29 pm
With so many wonderful people here talking about our love and passion of and for astronomy from around our small world which grows smaller each and every day I want to invite you all if you are not already a member of a group called Astronomers Without Borders – One Sky One People – http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/
This excerpt from th home page says it best;
Boundaries vanish when we look skyward
We all share the same sky
The star-filled night fascinates us all. People have gazed upward at it in wonder and awe for thousands of years. Regardless of earthly differences in culture, nationality or religion, the heavens are a common meeting ground for all of Earth’s inhabitants. The boundaries we place between us vanish when we look skyward. Whoever, whatever or wherever we are, we all share the same sky.
Sharing is an integral part of appreciating the cosmos. Amateur astronomers regularly take their telescopes to public sites and invite others to join them in their exploration of the skies. The veterans relive the thrill of discovery alongside these new space explorers. This passion to share the night sky crosses international borders and cultures as well.
The heavens transcend political, ethnic and religious differences. The tensions of everyday life seem to drain away before the wonder and enormity of the skies, and those standing in darkness with heads turned upward never ask people beside them about their origins or beliefs. In that moment, differences are forgotten and we are one beneath the sky we share.
By: James Butts on April 5, 2009
at 4:23 pm
may i get mail id of Dr.Mangal.M.Dharwadkar
By: ram lohiya on May 14, 2009
at 6:50 am
It is interesting that so many people are caught up in our daily lives that we often forget the importance of astronomy. Most life on this planet is dependent upon the energy from the sun. I often find myself looking up at the sky and taking a moment to experience the wonder and awe of our sun and stars in our galaxy and it puts in perspective how small I really am and how small the earth is. This can also help me to realize that the ecosystems and atmosphere of earth is so important to life that it makes me want to take better care of it.
By: Translation on June 11, 2009
at 4:27 pm
Where is the total eclipse of the sun occurring on July 22nd 2009? It is always a tremendous event, but it moves around the globe and I would like my children to experience it one day.
By: naati on July 2, 2009
at 1:42 am
Dear Naati,
On the News section ( http://solarastronomy2009.org/2009/06/30/total-solar-eclipse-22-july/ ) you can find a link to the webpage weve just launched with lots of information about the eclipse:
http://eclipse22jul09.wordpress.com/
Please feel free to visit that page, and send us any further question you might have.
Greetings, and thank you for the comment.
Bruno.
By: Bruno Sanchez-Andrade Nuo on July 2, 2009
at 3:14 am
The path of totality begin in Arbean see near the Indian coast. This path of about 210 km passes over many cities, towns and villages from west to east in India. The names of some of these cities are Bhavnagar, Surat, Vapi, Valsad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Bhopal, Husangabad, Gadarwara, Jabalpur, Sidhi, Rewa, Satna, Mirjapur, Varnasi, Patna, Dibrugarh etc. Though it is a monsoon season in India, but wherever clouds permit to view this event it will be a great experience. Many experiments would be possible during that time.
By: Hari Om Vats on July 2, 2009
at 3:55 am
We are going to bihar for observing totality…..can anybody tell me about the what kind of shadow bands will be formed there.
shekhar jain
By: shekhar jain on July 15, 2009
at 9:59 am
Dear Bill
hi this is Tanuj and i am located at 21° 36′ N , 73°1′ 24″E closest to the solar eclipse of 22nd July 2009 INDIA
I am a avid videographer and have also recorded the Venus transist that had occured in the past
I wanted to know what exactly is the term shadow band experiment and is it possible for a newbie like me to undertake such experiment ?
the readings to be noted and the care to be taken .
i am using observatory of my dad’s company for some time and i am taking on the solar eclipse project quite seriously
your suggestions and recommendations will be quite appreciated
thanks and regards
Tanuj soman
spironox@gmail.com
By: Tanuj on July 20, 2009
at 4:18 am
What a wonderful initiative. I have been involved in solar photovoltaics for quite some time and it has made me see and appreciate the sun in a way I had never really considered before.
By: Solar Book on August 12, 2009
at 11:33 am
Astronomy has been a passion of mine since childhood. I always enjoyed learning and observing. I used to lie on the ground in the summer in the middle of fields in the middle of nowhere to look up at the stars and just enjoy. It is great you are sharing this passion.
By: Interpreter on September 7, 2009
at 4:22 am
Astronomy, my favorite subject… I’ll take a course of astronomy the next semester…. Since Guatemala!!! =)
By: craxon on September 8, 2009
at 11:13 pm
I shall have my introduction as one amidst you or a philosopher or space scientist made by you yourselves.
Result from Padro Russo: http://www.capjournal.org/issues/01/01_18.php Possibility swiftly finds out most important answers to help people find a place and their role of the Universe.
Result from Lee Pullen: Cosmic Diary’s liveblog, covering the Ceremony in Breaking News is: http://www.cosmicdiary.org/lee_pullen/?p=192 (Shahidur Rahman Sikder) website or Brief History of the Universe, a Multimedia-DEMO, through that encouraging the spirit of discovery and sharing of fundamental knowledge about the Universe and our place in its midst.
See about-Universe totality 2009: yet, see Flickr is Serious Opportunist!
http://eclipse22jul09.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/universe-totality-2009/
Consequently, if you understand about the facts Strike the right note or put up to note sheet against my information.
By: Shahidur Rahman Sikder on September 10, 2009
at 4:50 pm
It is a great idea that there are probably people who really can not even recognize a pole star, let alone the Ursa Maior (lat. larger bear).
By: ESD on September 16, 2009
at 10:40 am
We are going to bihar for obserging totality…..can anyhody tell me anout the what kind of shadow bands will be formed there.
shekhar jain;
By: Altiery on September 19, 2009
at 5:58 am
Astronomy is really cool, was my favorite subject in school. However, not all see it and think that stars are simply boring. I do not see it, because who knows how many other worlds there are so because we were still out there anywhere, besides the moon, if at all.
By: Dachgeber on October 22, 2009
at 12:43 pm
Hello,
I think that one must organize days international on the sun, especially on the delay of the solar SPOTS! it is important I think.
THANK YOU
Kheir eddine DEHAR
ASSOCIATION For ASTRONOMY EL-BATTANI
Oran- Algeria
battanicom@hotmail.fr
Tel.: +213 550.219.910
By: Kheir eddine DEHAR on October 22, 2009
at 9:14 pm
My wife and I saw the total eclipse in Aruba some years ago. It was very awesome mainly because it was out first. Am glad we can do so much here on earth with the sun, too. Makes sense that people want to save money by harnessing the sunlight. Al
By: Al Gibson on October 29, 2009
at 8:57 pm