Press Releases

Oct 30, 2008: A Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed today, 30 October 2008, between UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU will be integrally involved in the process of developing UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative, helping to promote astronomical sites of "Outstanding Universal Value".

Jun 5, 2008: A prototype exhibit of astronomy images called From Earth to the Universe is a precursor of the wide range of events planned in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. The dazzling display of images will take viewers deep into the Universe from 7-29 June 2008 and will be held at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, UK.

Jan 17, 2008: The organisers of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO, welcomed this week the 100th participating country to the growing ranks of participating countries and organisations for this worldwide astronomy project. This milestone is reached only four weeks after the official Proclamation of IYA2009 by the United Nations.

Dec 20, 2007: Early this morning (CET) the United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo Galilei’s home country. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO.

Dec 21, 2006: The web page for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) http://www.astronomy2009.org/ has just gone public. The page is the main starting point for the global and local IYA2009 events and everyone interested in IYA2009 can use this page to get in contact with their local IYA2009 National Node. The Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2007 Conference (CAP2007) held in Athens (October 2007) will have IYA2009 as the main theme.

Oct 26, 2006: The International Astronomical Union will be coordinating the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. This initiative is an opportunity for the citizens of Earth to gain a deeper insight into astronomy’s role in enriching all human cultures. Moreover, it will serve as a platform for informing the public about the latest astronomy discoveries while emphasizing the essential role of astronomy in science education.