This week we highlight the approach of the Asia-Pacific grant and Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP 2018) abstract submission deadlines. The organisation, closely linked to our IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), received nearly 130 submissions from around the world, making this 2018 edition the most diverse ever. Our team is excited to welcome everyone in Japan next March!
In this issue, we highlight one of the coolest astrobiology videos around by Europlanet, the international Immersive Film Festival 2017 in Portugal, and the Ghana Planetarium crowdfunding campaign that needs your support!
We want to thank all our IAU National Outreach Contacts (NOCs) for participating both by sending us national news from their countries, and also by their special weekly appearances on our social media! It’s so much fun to hear first hand what’s happening in the world of astronomy outreach and education in each country. Stay tuned everyone!
Happy reading and clear skies!
The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach team
1) New IAU memberships
Some amendments to the IAU Statutes, by-laws and working rules were approved. The most relevant concerning the introduction of a Junior Member Category—allowing researchers who have just completed their PhD to join the Union, and “Honorary Members”—intended for individuals that have contributed significantly to the progress of astronomical research and culture in their country. These two new categories are added to the recent Associate Membership Status offered by invitation exclusively, to individuals who are not IAU members but who are actively involved in the work of the IAU as members of a Working Group, a Commission, or a Division.
2) CAP 2018 Abstract Submissions & Asia-Pacific Grant - Deadline October 15, 2017
The deadline for abstract submission for the upcoming Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2018 Conference in Fukuoka, Japan is 15 October 2017. Join the almost 130 people around the word who’ve already registered for the conference!
In a joint effort between the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and a Japanese crowdfunding campaign, the organisation will allow support for the attendance of participants from developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The deadline to apply has been extended also to October 15, 2017.
3) IAU OAO National Outreach Contacts Social Media Week
Starting this September, our IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach has a new social media campaign, in which we will be dedicating a full week on our IAU OAO social media channels to each country and National Outreach Contacts (NOCs). The idea is to raise international awareness for the continuous outreach efforts done at a local/national level. During this week each country can highlight worthy national events or activities in astronomy outreach and education, and promote astronomy clubs or organisations active in the country. Everyone has the chance to contact each NOC and collaborate! You can also send information about your activities to outreach@iau.org.
4) National Outreach Contacts (NOCs) Corner: News from Ethiopia
a) Chasing Space
On 07 August 2017, the public lecture titled ‘Chasing Space’ was presented by Leland Melvin a former NASA Astronaut, at the Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The public lecture was jointly organised by the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and the US Embassy in Addis Ababa. More than 600 participants (primary school, high school, and university students, teachers, and the general public) had the chance to attend Leland’s lecture and meet him in person.
5) National Outreach Contacts (NOCs) Corner: News from Tanzania
a) Naming planets in the Kiswahili (Swahili) language
Names of planets in the Kiswahili (Swahili) language have been used inconsistently and sometimes erroneously in many books and dictionaries. The Tanzania National Kiswahili Council has recently provided rationalisations of these names based on historical usage, as well as providing reasons for misuse, mistakes, and confusion. The Kiswahili names of the planets accepted by the Tanzania National Kiswahili Council are as follows:
1. Utaridi = Mercury
2. Zuhura (or Ng'andu) = Venus
3. Dunia = Earth
4. Mirihi = Mars
5. Mshtarii (or Mushtari) = Jupiter
6. Zohali = Saturn
7. Uranus = Uranus
8. Neptuni = Neptune
6) Ghana Planetarium Crowdfunding
Many schools in Ghana do not have sufficient resources to run practical activities and, as a consequence, there is a shortage of students taking STEM subjects at university. The Ghana Planetarium is a unique project in West Africa but it lacks financial resources to continue proper functioning. On weekdays, the Planetarium hosts visits of school children and their teachers, as well as planetarium shows demonstrating science and engaging the children in asking questions, receiving answers, and making calculations. By supporting the Ghana Planetarium through this crowdfunding campaign, we can help to keep science teaching alive in Ghana.
Find more details about the crowdfunding campaign platform here: http://bit.ly/2x5U5xU
7) Europlanet Astrobiology Educational Video
Europlanet launched its latest video: Astrobiology: Life in the Universe. Are we alone in the Universe? You have probably asked yourself this question at some point. The video shows how planetary scientists are looking for signs of life on other planets, using our very own Earth as a laboratory.
And don’t miss UNAWE’s article providing more information and educational resources to use with the video and other fun educational activities here: http://www.unawe.org/updates/2017-Europlanet-video-astrobiology/
8) IFF 2017 - Immersive Film Festival
The Immersive Film Festival (IFF2017) will be held in Espinho, Portugal from December 1 to 3, 2017. This festival is an event that will gather international productions, both 2D and 3D, from the Immersive Cinema field. The Espinho Planetarium team invites the visual digital arts and planetaria community around the world, from producers to students, and planetarium professionals, to participate in the IFF 2017 edition, either by submitting their work or attending the festival, or both! Submissions are open until November 15, 2017.
i) 15th International Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference (PCST2018)
Date: 4–6 April 2018
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
More Information: http://www.pcst2018.org/pcst18
If you are interested in translating our newsletter to your language, please let us know via outreach@iau.org.
11) Contributions to this newsletter - looking forward to hearing from you in 2017!
Here at the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, we are always looking for more news about astronomical education and outreach events around the world. Please continue to share your stories with us in 2017! If you are organising any large-scale events at a regional or international level, offering astronomy education or communication job positions, have any innovative projects or inspiring stories, looking for professional–amateur collaboration in astronomy, or have created any educational resources, let us know by sending an email to outreach@iau.org.
