2009
23 January 2009
After a massive public kick-off event in Sutherland on New Yearâs Eve, the
astronomy community has come together once again for the official launch event
of International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA 2009).
Making clever use of an astronomically cool opportunity, the official launch
timing coincides with a partial solar eclipse which will be visible all across
southern Africa around 7 am on 26 January 2009.
Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena will officially launch the
IYA 2009 at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town.
Declared by the United Nations, IYA 2009 is a global celebration of
astronomy and its contribution to society and culture, with strong emphasis on
education, public participation and the involvement of young people.
It marks the 400th anniversary of Galileiâs first astronomical observation
through a telescope in 1605.
Galilei was an Italian scientist who constructed a telescope with which he
studied astrophysical craters, and discovered four moons revolving around
Jupiter.
There will be an online activity as well with a live webcast of the eclipse
being broadcast from Sutherland. Pictures will also be uploaded onto this
website from collaborators across the path of the eclipse (including from the
South African weather station on Gough Island).
During the eclipse there will be a number of public viewing sites all across
the country at schools, planetariums, science centres, malls, restaurants, even
peoples' homes - a list of sites is available on the website - where the public
can safely view the eclipse through appropriate filters.
More information is available on the IYA 2009 website http://www.astronomy2009.org.za, where
you will find links to the live webcast, the list of public viewing sites and
the list of eclipse viewer suppliers.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
23 January 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)
