International Year of Astronomy
IYA 2009
2009 is 400 years since Galileo turned a telescope to the heavens. The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009), a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, marks this event. The School of Physics and the University of Sydney are making plans, so stay tuned here for more information over coming months.
See the IYA Advertising Trailer on YouTube or download higher resolution versions from the IYA Trailer page. Also see the University's IYA page
and the Australian IYA web site and the International IYA web site.
IYA Events at the University of Sydney
Still to come!
(Events organised by the School of Physics, the Faculty of Science and several other units of the University of Sydney. For details, contact the Physics Science Communicators or Community Relations Manager. Details of talks by astronomers can be found here.)
Astronomy Continuing Education courses through the year - see the list towards the end of this page!
- 3 May 2009 to 15 August 2009
The Sky's the Limit: Astronomy in Antiquity
An Exhibition in the Nicholson Museum - 22-26 June
Science in the Bush
is a celebration of the contributions of science to society and is run for schools in regional areas, in 2009 with a contribution from IYA. - 12-25 July
Genes to Galaxies
35th Professor Harry Messel International Science School
for selected Australian and International High School Students - Monday 20 July - Public Event
Dr Karl and Adam Spencer debate on the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
To mark the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Sleek Geeks Dr Karl and Adam Spencer will deliver a special presentation to tackle the myths surrounding man's first voyage to the moon.
6.00pm in the Footbridge Theatre, University of Sydney
Cost: Free - 20 July 2009 to 10 September 2009
Small Step, Giant Leap: Celebrating Apollo at 40
An exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar landing. Combining contemporary artefacts and memorabilia, this display will present the history of the Apollo Project and explore the relationship between the US space program and the University of Sydney's School of Physics.
SciTech Library, University of Sydney - Tuesday 21 July - Public Event
Extremophiles and Exoplanets: Expanding the Potentially Habitable Real Estate in the Galaxy
A Sydney Ideas and International Science School co-presentation
Dr Jill Tarter, Director of the Center for SETI Research
6.30pm in the Seymour Theatre Centre
Cost: $20/$15 or Free for University of Sydney staff and students. - 4-6 and 11-13 August
Science in the City is a celebration of the contributions of science to society and is run for schools as part of National Science Week, in 2009 with some IYA flavour. - October
Science Exposed
A celebration of science in Sydney.
See the 2009 Physics calendar, describing astronomy research in the Sydney Institute for Astronomy with the School of Physics.
Also see the article on IYA activities in the Summer 2008 Alumni News.
Continuing Education Courses
Still to come!
For many years, staff of the School have been active in the presentation of Astronomy courses to the general public through the University's Centre for Continuing Education. For IYA, we are offering an ambitious program, far more extensive than usual.
The program still to come is:
- Introduction to Modern Cosmology
2 hours session, one night a week for 6 Weeks beginning Tuesday 7 July
organised by Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer - Modern Astronomy - An Introduction to Stars and Galaxies
Modern Astronomy - An Introduction to Stars and Galaxies
2 hours session, one night a week for 10 weeks beginning Wednesday 16 September 2009
organised by Helen Johnston - The search for extra-terrestrial life
Saturday 5 September all day (re-scheduled)
organised by Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer - Beyond the Dish: an astronomical tour
Thursday 19-Sunday 22 November
bus tour of NSW observatories, limit 40
organised by John O'Byrne
For enquiries and to enrol, contact the Centre for Continuing Education.