We in the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (IAU OAO) have a particularly active amount of programming right now: a new agreement, the International Day of Light this weekend, Telescopes for All deadlines, and updates from some of our IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs). More information on all of these are in the first items of this newsletter.
This issue of the newsletter also features a number of programmes open for applications. The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has opened its Annual Call for Proposals and is also looking for regional organisers to assist with the first international WorldWide Telescope (WWT) Guide Tour Contest. Additionally, the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) is seeking applications for their 2021 Global Sky Partner programme, which allows educational groups to use their robotic network of telescopes.
Finally, the Communicating Astronomy with the Public Conference (CAP Conference) will be closing its registration soon. The free virtual conference takes place from 24-27 May and we highly encourage you to join in and connect with other people who speak with the public about astronomy.
Wishing you the clearest skies and good health! Izumi Hansen and Lina Canas, on behalf of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Team
1) IAU OAO Signs Memorandum of Understanding with IAPS
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) through the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (IAU OAO) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Association of Physics Students (IAPS) to increase collaboration in areas of mutual interest. This includes joint outreach activities and issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.
2) Sign the Trust Science Pledge with the International Day of Light
The International Day of Light invites everyone to sign the Trust Science pledge. The pledge allows people to recognise the central role of science in society and affirm confidence in the process of scientific research and discovery.
3) Upcoming National Deadlines for Telescopes for All
Some IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs) have set earlier deadlines for national applications to the Telescopes for All programme. The Telescopes for All programme sends telescopes to underserved communities around the world to broaden the horizons of children, adults and educators. Complete applications must be submitted to the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (IAU OAO) by 1 June 2021.
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has released its 2021 Call for Proposals for projects that aim to use astronomy to support and advance sustainable development. The call is open to anyone from anywhere in the world (regardless of whether they have a background in astronomy), and is conducted in two stages. The deadline for Stage 1 applications is 31 May 2021.
Interested applicants who need assistance writing a proposal in English can email info[at]astro4dev.org to be matched with an astronomer to help develop their proposal.
5) Call for Local Organisers for the First WorldWide Telescope Guided Tour Contest
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) and their partners are looking for people or organisations interested in being regional volunteers for the first WorldWide Telescope (WWT) Guided Tour Contest. Volunteers collect tour submissions and select a certain number of excellent tours to submit to the international organising committee. The international contest is based on previous WWT contests in China and the US.
Thanks to Kevin Govender for sharing this news item with us.
6) NOC News: Database of Astronomy-related Organisations in Austria
Johannes Stübler, the IAU National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) for Austria, and the NOC Austria team have created a search engine for individuals interested in all types of astronomy-related organisations in Austria. The German-language site aims to connect professional and amateur astronomers to connect all the groups in one place, and the website is routinely updated.
Thank you to Johannes Stübler for sharing this news item.
7) NOC News: Divulga, a Podcast About Science in Guatemala
Divulga, a podcast about science in Guatemala, recently featured the six Guatemalan astronomers including Rodrigo Sacahui, the IAU National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) for Guatemala. The episodes have all been released and have provided great examples of how astronomy has contributed to the development of science in the country.
Thanks to Rodrigo Sacahui for sharing this news item.
8) LCO Global Sky Partner Application Opens
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) has opened its 2021 call for Global Sky Partners. Global Sky Partners are invited to use the LCO network of robotic telescopes for structured educational programmes. LCO is particularly interested in programmes which make innovative use of the telescope network and target under-represented communities or audiences in the developing world. Applications are due on 13 June 2021.
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!
