We are ecstatic to tell you that the 2021 Telescopes for All project is now open for applications! With our partners at Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen (Stars Shine for Everyone - SSVI) and Leiden University, in the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach are looking forward to sending the 12 telescopes out so more communities around the globe can easily access the science of astronomy. If you or your group are using astronomy to spark an interest in science in an underserved community anywhere in the world, please see below for more information on how to apply.
In addition to Telescopes for All, many other astronomy outreach groups have contests and grants open now. These are for many different groups of people, including children, adults, non-profits, and research organisations. Please look through them to see if one of these opportunities may help you or a group you know.
This newsletter also features two recently released publications from the International Astronomical Union: the 29th issue of the Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal (CAPjournal) and the AstroEDU 2019 Conference Proceedings. Both provide interesting and useful articles for astronomy outreach practitioners from colleagues around the world.
Wishing you the clearest skies and good health! Izumi Hansen and Lina Canas, on behalf of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Team
1) Telescopes for All Welcomes Applications for 2021
The Telescopes for All project now welcomes applications for 2021. The project sends telescopes to underserved communities to broaden the horizons of children, parents and educators. Telescopes for All is a partner programme between the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (IAU OAO), Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen (Stars Shine for Everyone - SSVI), and Leiden University.
Issue 29 of the Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal (CAPjournal) has been released. This regular issue includes articles from authors around the world on various topics including accessible resources, community building, and the motivations of citizen scientists.
Proceedings from the inaugural AstroEdu conference have been published. The conference brought together astronomers, astronomy education researchers and education practitioners to communicate, discuss and tackle common issues.
4) EGU Public Engagement Grants Welcomes Applications
The European Geosciences Union (EGU) welcomes applications for the sixth edition of its annual Public Engagement Grants scheme. The scheme aims to celebrate and recognise excellent science communication in the Earth, planetary and space sciences. Applicants must be members of the EGU. Successful applications will be awarded €1500 to help further develop their idea and put it into practice.
5) Telescopes to Build Capacity for Astronomy Research
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (KIAM) are making two telescopes available for research organisations, universities and regional or international organisations in developing countries. Proposals must be submitted by 1 May 2021.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is currently hiring for its next internship cycle in science communication. Internship dates start on 1 September 2021 and 1 November 2021. The internship includes accommodation, a monthly allowance, and transportation from a home port. Applications should be submitted around mid-April as evaluations will begin soon thereafter.
7) UNOOSA and SGAC Space Essay Contest for Young Adults
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) are holding an international essay contest for young adults. People 18-35 years old are invited to submit an essay under the theme "Space as a tool to foster climate adaptation and mitigation". Essays must be submitted by 26 April 2021.
8) International Dark Skies Rangers Student Contest
Children and teens from around the world are invited to enter the 2021 Dark Skies Rangers Contests and learn about the consequences of light pollution. The contests are organised by the Portuguese astronomy non-profit NUCLIO.
Thanks to the NUCLIO team for sharing this news item with us.
9) Featured Activities Event & Online Resources Repository
a) 6th East African Astronomical Society Workshop
Location: Virtual and in Dodoma, Tanzania
Date: 15-22 May 2021
Website https://www.emiratesmarsmission.ae/
Japanese:http://bit.ly/2xlNyCR
Translations are thanks to Akihiko Tomita, through the Astronomy Translation Network.
You can subscribe to the Japanese newsletter through the Japanese Amateur Astronomers Association (http://www.jaaa-astro.jp/jaaa-ml.html) or the Japanese Society for Education and Popularization of Astronomy (http://www.tenkyo.net/).
If you are interested in translating the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Newsletter into your language, please email public@oao.iau.org.
11) Contribute to the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Newsletter
We’re always looking to include news about astronomy outreach from around the world in the next newsletter from the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach. If you have an astronomical event, job, opportunity, educational resource, or anything else that would be of interest to the astronomy outreach community, send us an email at public@oao.iau.org with more information.
You can send us your suggestions through the 4th for issue #1 and the 17th for issue #2 of each month. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
