We are very proud to announce the continuation of our Women and Girls in Astronomy Global Outreach Project. In the Feature below, we outline the many ways that people can get involved. Of course, the celebration of Women and Girls in Astronomy extends far beyond the 11 February to 8 March period (for example, see the special talk described below that is organised by the NOC/NAEC for Japan). The OAO strives to engage and honour gender minorities in STEM across all of our programmes. However, please take advantage of the offerings below, and join the conversation about what gender equity means to you.
We are also looking ahead to our Dark and Quiet Skies Global Outreach Project, and hope that you will help us in our quest to understand the global efforts to combat light pollution.
We are extremely grateful to our IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs). Many more than are listed here remain active in their communities and engage directly with our programmes. Our NOCs bring the OAO’s mission and vision to life.
May your skies be dark and quiet,
Kelly Blumenthal, on behalf of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Team
Women and Girls in Astronomy
The Women and Girls in Astronomy project supports events that recognise the role of all women in advancing science and encourages everyone on and off the gender spectrum to consider careers in astronomy. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) strongly encourages activities throughout the year, with a particular focus between two International Days adopted by the United Nations: the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February and International Women’s Day on 8 March.
With each new edition, the Women and Girls in Astronomy project strives to grow and improve. We want to clearly state that trans women are women. We invite everyone on and off the gender spectrum to engage with this programme, highlighting our shared and individual experiences that can help us grow toward a better, more inclusive future in STEM.
We invite everyone to participate in this programme. Here are some ideas about how to get involved:
If you’re an astronomer, astronomy educator, or astronomy outreach professional, consider sharing your story here.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about astronomers around the world, gender-inclusive activities and projects, share resources, events and more! And don’t forget to join the conversation by using the hashtags #WomenInAstronomy and #WomenInSTEM.
1) IAU OAO Global Light Pollution Initiatives Survey
In preparation for our Dark and Quiet Skies Global Outreach Project this May, the IAU OAO is gathering information about how countries around the world approach the fight against light pollution. In this survey, we ask you to provide some brief information about initiatives happening in your country (either led by you, or someone else), and provide practical ways people can get involved in this effort. This could include changing their light bulbs to LEDs, signing a petition, participating in a town hall, or joining a lobbying group -- whatever you think would be most relevant for your community. We will use this information as part of a global resource on light pollution, and as a way to promote global initiatives to protect our dark and quiet skies.
2) Galileoscope: A Universe of Opportunities for Educators
The Galileoscope educational telescope kit, developed for the International Year of Astronomy 2009, is still in production! Explore Scientific, the new manufacturer, sells the Galileoscope to educators at a discount of more than 50% off the retail price for quantities of 10 or more. In celebration of the coming solar eclipses, Explore Scientific has developed a solar filter and sunshade for the Galileoscope that allows you and your students to safely observe the Sun! Discover all of this and more at the Galileoscope website. Additionally, this page offers free resources for educators, including activity guides and classroom activity ideas.
3) The NOC/NAEC Japan Announce a Lecture and Discussion on Women in Astronomy
When you think of “astronomers who changed the world” who comes to mind? Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, or Hubble? They are all male, aren’t they? Indeed, for centuries women have had little exposure to science in general and astronomy in particular. But this does not mean that women have not contributed at all. In her talk, “Women in Astronomy”, lecturer Dr Yaël Nazé will trace the paths taken by women scientists who have done sometimes humorous, but important work. The lecture will also present their discoveries on major topics in modern astrophysics as well, such as dark matter, pulsars, and many other areas in astrophysics.
This event will take place in person on Saturday, April 22, from 14:30-16:30 UTC+9 at the French Institute of Kansai in Kyoto. Admission is free with simultaneous interpretation from French to Japanese. Space is limited, so click here to reserve your spot (advance reservations are required). For more information, see their website in Japanese and French.
4) Call for Global Participation in Research about Science Education in Secondary Schools
In Japan, the high school curriculum national guidelines that came into effect this year still require students to choose from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology. However, to solve the various problems facing modern society, including science, technology, and the global environment, it is not enough for students to pick and choose from an already siloed education. The path forward requires integrated science education.
Researchers at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) hope to design a new curriculum for science education in Japanese secondary schools that addresses the emerging need for interdisciplinary scientific comprehension. To do this, they will perform a comparison study to understand science communication in other countries, but they need your help! You can find their quick survey here.
5) ISC and UNESCO Survey on Science Communication
The International Science Council working through its Public Value of Science project with the UNESCO Chair in Science Communication for the Public Good is preparing a report for policymakers and research leaders on Science Engagement: understanding trust, science and publics. One of the research tools informing this report is a 15-20 minute survey of those involved in science communication. If you would like to contribute, please complete the survey by 3 March.
6) Updates from the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs)
a) Argentina
The NOCs from Argentina celebrated Julian Day: the day and time (24 February at 12pm UTC) at which the Julian Calendar reads 2460000. They will continue throughout the year with activities related to time, its measurement and the importance it has in astronomy.
b) Barbados
The NOC Barbados Team was able to capture this beautiful photo of the Green Comet, C/2022 E3 (ZTF).
c) Bolivia
The NOC Bolivia Team also captured an image of the Green Comet! You can find the image here and a full report (in Spanish) here.
d) France
For the 11 February International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the NOC France produced a mosaic celebrating #WomeninAstronomy. With more than 100 profiles, the mosaic celebrates French female Astronomers in France and abroad. Find out more here.
e) Lybia
The NOC from Lybia is getting ready to launch Lybia’s first space camp in March. The camp aims to bring together young space sciences enthusiasts from different regions of Libya, and engage them in scientific challenges, astronomical observations and lectures.
f) Portugal
The NOC Team of Portugal and OAO’s partner, the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA), hosted face-to-face events honouring the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 in Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto. Activities included informal chats with researchers, observations with telescopes, workshops, presentations and a visit to a spectroheliograph. For more information, see their website.
g) Trinidad and Tobago
The NOC Trinidad and Tobago hosted a special edition of “The Wormhole”, a web series dedicated to sharing the awe and wonder of life, the Universe and everything. The very special episode featured Dr Breezy Ocana-Flaquer, an astronomer from the Dominican Republic who is currently an Adjunct Professor at San Diego University in California. She is co-founder of Caribbean Astronomy for Inclusion and works with her team to be able to bring astronomy to persons with disabilities as well. This is her story - through the wormhole in observance of the day for Women and Girls in Science 2023. To watch the episode, see this link.
7) Opportunities
a) Join the ESO Supernova Team!
Education Specialist: Located in Garching, Germany. Successful candidates will be in charge of leading the "Fostering early science education at the ESO Supernova in cooperation with the Forscherstation " project, which aims to strengthen and expand the education offer of the ESO Supernova, especially for children aged 3-12, as well as educators and primary school teachers. The deadline for applications is 3 March 2023. For more information, see their website in English and German.
ESO Supernova Internship: This six-month internship is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to gain more experience with face-to-face public engagement activities and to learn about working in a science centre or museum. Their ideal candidate is a recent science graduate or someone currently enrolled in a master’s programme in science communication that is fluent in both English and German. Full details about the position and how to apply can be found on the ESO recruitment website (see "ESO Supernova Internship"). The start date is flexible and it is a rolling application process.
b) Astrobiology & Science Communication Postdoc at Leiden University
Leiden Observatory and the Department of Science Communication and Society at Leiden University are looking for a postdoc in astrobiology and science communication. The postdoc will examine the media’s role in effective science communication and their contribution to the public understanding of the origin of life and astrobiology. Additional information can be found at this link.
c) Now Accepting Nominations: ASP Awards
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is inviting nominations for various awards for astronomy education, outreach, and research. Note that both nominators and nominees can be based in any country and need not be ASP members. For more information see this link. The deadline for nominations is 15 March.
d) Free Course on Cultural Astronomy in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
The course will focus on Medieval and Early Modern Europe and its cultural forms of understanding, theorizing, and practising astronomy between the 13th and 17th centuries. For more information on how to register, see this flyer.
8) Cool Resources
a) New Space Scoop Out Now! Times Three! [Content in English]
Space Scoop produces articles on the latest in astronomy and space science in easy-to-understand language. Don’t miss their weekly updates that include stories from many of the world’s space agencies! Get the Triple Scoop here, here, and here. If you’d like to help Space Scoop get translated into more of the world’s languages, email them at info@unawe.org
b) New Video on Mirza Ghalib, Caesar, and Comets by Kainaat Studios [Audio Content in Urdu/Hindi, Subtitles in English]
Kainaat Studios is a non-profit organisation based in the United States that aims to provide high-quality astronomy educational materials for the Urdu/Hindi-speaking world. Join astrophysicist and Kainaat Studios CEO, Salman Hameed, in this video as he explores, not only the history of comets, but also the science behind the colour of the Green Comet, C/2022 E3 (ZTF).
9) IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Newsletter in Non-English Languages
Our newsletter is being translated into the following languages:
Arabic
Translations are thanks to the members of the Bahrain Stargazers Astronomy Club.
Chinese (Simplified)
Translations are thanks to Dr Chen Cao, Shandong Astronomical Society (SDAS) of China.
Portuguese (European)
Translations are thanks to Catarina Leote and João Ferreira through the Astronomy Translation Network Portuguese Language Group.
Spanish
Translations are thanks to Andrea Ahumada of the Observatorio Astronómico, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and Ileana Andruchow of the Instituto Astrofísica de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. For translations of previous Newsletters in Spanish, thanks to Emílio Zuniga of the Association of Amateur Astronomers in León, Nicaragua, click here.
If you are interested in translating the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Newsletter into your language, please email public@oao.iau.org.
10) Contribute to the IAU Astronomy Outreach Newsletter
We are always looking for material about astronomy outreach, communication and public engagement from around the world to include in our next IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Newsletter. 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.
Please send us your suggestions through the 4th for issue #1 and the 17th for issue #2 of each month. We look forward to hearing from you!
