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On The Road to IYA: Update on US Plans and Programs

Doug Isbell Susana Deustua

Co-Chairs, US Program Committee (AAS)

Communicating Astronomy to the Public MeetingAthens, Greece

October 9, 2007

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US Goal for IYA 2009

To offer an engaging astronomy experience to every person in the

country, nurture existing partnerships and build new connections to sustain

public interest.

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US IYA 2009 Coordination• Program Committee

– Develop IYA themes and activities– 16 members from leading US astronomy education and

public outreach organizations plus liaisons from Canada and Mexico

– Co-chairs: Doug Isbell (NOAO) & Susana Deustua (AAS)

• Development Committee– Secure funding and resources to implement IYA

program– 10 members from academia, industry, observatories– Chair: Peter Stockman (STScI)

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Seven Major US Themes• Looking Through a Telescope• Dark Skies Are a Universal Resource• Astronomy in Arts, Entertainment & Storytelling• Research Experience for Students, Teachers, and

Citizen-Scientists• Telescope Kits & Optics • Sharing the Universe Through New Technology• The Universe for Classrooms and Families

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Web Site: www.astronomy2009.us Nine Working Groups Established (> 60 people) to

support the seven themes Major Planning Meetings

• June 2007: Honolulu, HI • September 2007: Chicago, IL

Joint AAS/ASP IYA Symposium in June 2008 at AAS Meeting

Leadership role in Galileoscope, Dark Skies and Image Exhibition IYA cornerstones…with your help!

Accomplishments to Date

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US IYA 2009 Program Highlights

Looking Through a Telescope

Goal: more than 10 million first-time viewers • Star parties, sidewalk astronomy• Coordinate with Night Sky Network activities

Dark Skies Are a Universal Resource• GLOBE at Night 2009

– Naked-eye star counting– digital sky-quality meters

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…highlights

Arts, Entertainment & Storytelling

• Rose Bowl Parade Float – January 1, 2009• “Astronomy Goes to the Movies” at 2009 Oscar Awards

Storytelling and Cultural Astronomy• Star Parties combining telescope viewing and Native

American stories• Central source of appropriate written/recorded

sky narratives and stories on the Web

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…highlightsResearch Experiences for Students,

Teachers, and Citizen-Scientists• Coordinated observing of variable star Epsilon Aurigae

Telescopes & Optics

• Galileoscope - Inexpensive telescope, targets are mountains on the Moon & Jupiter’s moons.

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…highlightsSharing the Universe Through New

Technology• Planetaria, Science Centers, Observatories• “365 Days of Astronomy” podcasts

The Universe for Classrooms and Families• Professional Development for teachers (Galileo Teachers+)• IYA Galileo Club Card

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…and in additionSmall Grants Program for community

activities

Comprehensive website

Publicity• Five-minute promotional video for planetaria• Newspaper tabloid inserts

Evaluation

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NASA’s IYA Strategy• Align with US themes and goals• Capitalize upon public interest in NASA missions and

discoveries• Leverage extensive education and public outreach

programs embedded in NASA’s space science missions and research/analysis programs

• NASA Science Mission Directorate IYA portal Web site

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Activities Supporting US IYA Themes

• Science Centers, Observatory Visitor Centers & Planetaria– Public unveiling of large prints from Hubble, Spitzer &

Chandra at museums, science centers, and schools• Sharing the Universe Through New Technology

– Are We Alone? Radio Shows and Podcasts• The Universe for Classrooms and Families

– Professional development offerings for both – classroom and out-of-school-time program

educators

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• New capabilities enabled by Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4

• Launch of the Kepler mission

• Companion payload to Lunar Reconnaissance Observatory impacts the Moon

• 40th anniversary of Apollo landings

NASA Calendar Highlights

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Our Challenges

• Establish a National Program Office

• Obtain Funding for the Key Projects

• Increase Community Involvement

• Spread the Word!!!

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Douglas Isbell [US SPOC] Co-Chair Program CommitteeAssociate Director for Public Affairs and Educational Outreach National Optical Astronomical Observatory, Tucson, AZdisbell@noao.edu, +1 520-318-8214

US CONTACTS

Hashima Hasan [NASA SPOC]NASA HQ, Washington, DChhasan@nasa.gov, +1 202-358-0692

Susana Deustua, Co-Chair Program CommitteeDirector of EducationAmerican Astronomical Society, Washington, DC

deustua@aas.org, +1 202-328-2010