This weekend, you might like to participate in the 100 Hours of Astronomy events going on all over the world. Recall that it is the International Year of Astronomy, and that there are lots of things going to celebrate the 400 years of the Astronomy era launched by Galileo’s use of the telescope for his landmark Astronomical observations. There are all kinds of exciting events, from local astronomers setting up telescopes in your neighbourhood for all to use, to things involving some of the great professional telescopes around the world live webcasting and even… twittering. From the main page of the organizers:
The 100 Hours of Astronomy IYA2009 Cornerstone Project is a four-day event designed to bring astronomy to the public around the world. Whether it’s a few hours on one day or a 100-hour marathon event, how groups choose to participate is up to them. Plans should fit the resources and enthusiasm that’s available. All activities and events during 100HA will bring astronomy to a new audience.
There is an event page here, with a clickable google map for you to navigate your area and maybe find something.
What are you going to do? (I totally missed that this was coming up this weekend, and so I am going to have to think hard about what I am going to do. Might be just taking the telescope outside and having a bit of an observation session later on. Hmmm… wonder if can rustle up some of my gang to come over…?)
Enjoy!
-cvj
Brilliant!!
-cvj
Update- event was run by some Florentine astronomers and fun was had alternating between the Moon and Saturn as it was pretty bright there. And in a delightful postscript I even got a ride back from a cute Italian on his Vespa. Stereotypical yes, but you don’t mess with the good ones. 😉
That comment certainly made the blog post all worth it… Excellent!
Enjoy.
-cvj
Whoa, event right here in the main square of Florence tonight and we have clear skies! I’ll go and see if they need a hand, thanks for the tip!
(Saw Galileo’s grave yesterday, and someone was thoughtful enough to lay a wreath that had “2009 International Year of Astronomy” on it. Thought that was neat.)