In this Newsletter, you will find many new opportunities to learn from the global community of science communicators and be recognised for your work, as well. For example, there are two new workshops and resource guides available on the OAO YouTube channel: CAPtrainings in partnership with both the Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Additionally, young astronomers or those just beginning their astronomical journey are encouraged to participate in the International Astronomical Youth Camp.
In our Feature, we hope you will learn about a new way to get engaged with the problem of dark – and especially, quiet – skies: the Community Engagement Hub at the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference. With this in mind, we are also looking ahead to our Dark and Quiet Skies Global Outreach Project, which will take place in May. We hope that you will help us in our quest to understand the global efforts to combat light pollution. If you're interested in learning more about light pollution, be sure to look for the IAU Light Pollution Brochure, available in Filipino and nine other languages below.
As always, we thank our National Outreach Coordinators for their efforts to bring astronomy to everyone. Though there are many not listed here, important work is still being done in communities around the world.
We would also like to add a special thank you to our translators, who volunteer their time and efforts to broaden the reach of the IAU OAO Newsletter.
It is with these volunteer networks (the NOCs, translators, and all those who volunteer their time with the OAO) that the OAO finds its strength. Thank you all for all you do.
May your skies be dark and quiet,
Kelly Blumenthal, on behalf of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Team
The CPS Community Engagement Hub
The space around our planet is growing ever more crowded. In recent years, thousands of new satellites have been launched into low-Earth orbit. Most are designed, launched and operated as a group for a common purpose, such as delivering broadband Internet access. These so-called ‘megaconstellations’ are altering the appearance of the night sky, which can have major implications for both science and society. For example, they can interfere with astronomical observations and cause researchers to miss opportunities to measure rare cosmic events. Swarms of satellites may interfere with the cultural and religious practices of some people, including Indigenous communities around the world. Finally, Satellites can also be an unwelcome intrusion for casual stargazers and all who love the tranquillity of dark and quiet nights.
Astronomers responded to these threats and met with representatives of the commercial space industry in 2020 and 2021 in a series of “Dark And Quiet Skies” workshops convened with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs. They aimed to understand the problem and suggest solutions. One outcome of the process was the creation of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS).
The CPS Community Engagement (CE) Hub aims to establish a fair-minded forum for the conscious and respectful discussion of the use of near-Earth space, and its effects on the night sky, with all stakeholders involved and communities affected. The CE Hub engages primarily with communities outside of professional astronomy, as the emerging changes to the night sky will impact all of humanity. It is also working alongside the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach to help educate the public about the issue and invite its participation in the work of the CPS.
Anyone can become involved in the work of the CE Hub. Its first major initiative is to help educate the public on the topic of satellites as they affect the night sky through its “Satellite Constellations 101” outreach program. Participants can learn about satellites through a series of self-paced video presentation modules expected to be available by mid-2023. The Hub will solicit the views of night-sky stakeholders through modes such as writing prompts and focus group meetings. For more information, contact the Hub leads at community-engage@cps.iau.org.
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) CAPtraining: A Workshop Double Header
a) OAO-JWST Image Processing Workshop Now Available to the Public
This workshop discusses the process of producing an astronomical image, from data collection at the telescope to press release. This workshop will provide viewers with a tangible avenue to utilise real space telescope data, as well as gain an appreciation for the work that image processing teams do to create the beautiful images we see from space telescopes like JWST.
The full workshop is available on our YouTube channel, here.
You can also find the Resource Guide [in English] at this link.
b) OAO-CXC Image Accessibility Workshop Now Available to the Public
The latest CAPtraining is now available for the public. During this workshop, Kim Arcand of the Chandra X-ray Observatory visualisation team and her colleagues discuss ways to make our astronomical images more accessible, enabling science communicators to reach a broader audience. The video touches upon image descriptions, sonifications, 3D prints, and the importance of translations and will provide participants with a tangible avenue to utilise real space telescope data in new ways with their audiences.
The full workshop is available on our YouYube channel, here.
You can also find the Resource Guide [in English] at this link.
3) Big Astronomy Community Day 2023 Big Astronomy is a planetarium show (funded by the National Science Foundation of the US) designed to showcase the diversity of career paths and people in astronomy. The film is designed for planetariums, but an HD version for flat screens is also available, along with numerous hands-on activities. This includes new accessible activities for the blind and low-vision community and captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing community. It is available to the public for free or at a low cost. Download the film in your preferred format here.
Join the producers of this planetarium show for their Community Day on Astronomy Day, April 29, 2023, and throughout the month of April to hold events where the Big Astronomy film is shown or related hands-on activities are being implemented.
Organisations and individuals who host a Big Astronomy Community Day Event will have an opportunity to win one of three prizes:
4) International Astronomical Youth Camp Applications are Now Open!
Imagine spending three weeks of your summer in the beautiful countryside – under some of the darkest skies in Europe – working with other young people from all over the world on an astronomical project of your choice. The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a summer research camp which provides a unique international atmosphere for 16-24 year-olds to study the Universe. Celebrating diversity is deeply embedded in the culture of the camp – we are dedicated to making the camp accessible to all, and we especially welcome applications from minorities in STEM.
The IAYC is a place for cultural exchange while learning to design and carry out your own small research project. Science is not about getting the right answer the first time around, but about exploring questions and having opportunities to get things wrong – the IAYC is the perfect place to make mistakes and try again! By night you will have access to a number of different telescopes, whether you are a complete beginner or a savvy expert. During the afternoons, you will be working with other participants on your research project. The groups are led by young scientists and focus on a specific topic related to space and astronomy. There is something for everyone, from the ambitious student to the complete beginner (no previous knowledge of science or astronomy is required!).
For more information, see this website and apply before 26 March!
5) The International Day of Light 2023
The International Day of Light is fast approaching! Be sure to check out the latest Newsletter from the IDL team, featuring stories about projects in preparation. Read and subscribe to their newsletter, stay up to date with the latest on their website here, and register your light-related events here.
6) Updates from the IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs)
a) Bangladesh
The IAU National Outreach Coordinator Team in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Astronomical Society (BAS), Society for the Popularization of Science, Bangladesh (SPSB), Whiteboard Science Club (WBSC), Chittagong University Scientific Society (CUSS), and Universe Awareness (UNAWE) celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a two-day workshop for 70 girls from grades 7 to 10 from six schools in Chittagong. The Bibha Girls' Astronomy Workshop 2023 aimed to promote STEM education for girls in Bangladesh, especially those who face additional barriers to accessing education and pursuing careers in these fields. During the workshop, the girls participated in quizzes and an art exhibition, with prizes awarded to the winners. They also had the opportunity to learn from professional astronomers, which may have inspired some of them to pursue astronomy as a career.
b) Haiti
In honour of Women and Girls in Astronomy, our Co-NOC Haïti, John Masken Larose, mentored a student, Neïssa Dory, in producing a video explaining the theory of continental drift. You can watch the video (in French) at this link.
c) Kuwait
Our NOC Kuwait, Khaled A. Al-jamaan, organised an event -- Into the Stars -- that brought people out of the light-polluted city into the middle of the desert in Kuwait to observe a truly dark night sky. Watch the video (in Arabic) for a preview of the event. The NOC Kuwait also held another in their series of workshops for kids, called Little Astronomers, in which kids from ages 8-11 learned about our planet Earth.
d) Iraq
Our NOC Iraq, Ali Jaber Al-Edhari, created a poster to celebrate an artist, athlete, student, and amateur astronomer in his community. See the poster in Arabic and in English.
e) Qatar
The NOC Qatar, Hani Dalee, in association with the Arab Union for Astronomy & Space Science, Qatar Calendar, Astronomical Society of Qatar, QU Astronomy Club, and QNHG & Engineers’ Paths(Masarat), hosted an event to view the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in Rawdat Al-Hamamah.
f) Bahrain and Lebanon
The NOCs from Bahrain (Myriam Alqassab) and Lebanon (Ahmed Chalaan) held an event called “Astronomy in Schools, My experience in Education”. This was part of a monthly webinar series organised by the Initiative of the IAU offices in the Arab Region for Education and Astronomy Outreach.
7) Opportunities
a) Nominate a Science Communicator for the 2023 Beetlestone Award!
The Beetlestone Award is in its sixth year and aims to recognise the work of an extraordinary leader in informal science learning. To nominate someone, complete this short online form here before 15 May. References are not required. For more information on eligibility and nomination guidance, see this page.
b) PAPSSN Research Opportunities Available: Deadline 19 March
The overarching objective of PAPSSN is to support the development of a skilled and innovative graduate students’ community and improve their job preparedness for the growing Planetary and Space Science labour market in Africa and foster their capacity of operating local infrastructure, generating local data and engaging with the international community of scientists and entrepreneurs. Find out more about their opportunities here.
c) STEM MentHER Applications are Now Open!
STEM MentHER has opened applications for their 2023 programme. Nominations are open for young women (grade 12) in Gauteng and Western Cape, South Africa. Successful candidates will be mentored by academics and postgraduate students that identify as women. For more information, see this link.
d) The Falling Walls Global Call 2023 is Now Open!
Falling Walls invites leading actors in science and academia to nominate the latest breakthrough science projects in nine different categories to be named the Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year. Whether you are a researcher, innovator, or a team of passionate individuals, this is your chance to showcase your groundbreaking work that addresses global challenges.
Apply now and present your groundbreaking research at the Falling Walls Science Summit 2023. Categories include physical sciences, engineering, science engagement, and startups. For more information, see this link.
e) Apply Now for a Physics Without Frontiers Project
Physics Without Frontiers aims to motivate, train, and educate physics and mathematics university students worldwide to help build the next generation of scientists. Physics Without Frontiers organises projects working with volunteer scientists who are passionate about promoting and supporting physics and mathematics. Learn more and apply for a project at this link.
f) Internship Opportunity: World Space Week Association
The World Space Week Association is looking for two interns to join the team! If you're interested in a career in communications or external relations, this is the perfect opportunity to gain experience and make a difference. For more information, and a list of job postings, see their website.
8) Cool Resources
a) New Double Space Scoop Out Now! [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 your Double Scoop here, and here. If you would like to help Space Scoop get translated into more of the world’s languages, email them at info@unawe.org.
b) Light Pollution Brochure [Content in Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Chinese, English, Filipino, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish]
This publication is a compilation of important findings of experts worldwide in the area of light pollution. The information was gathered under the umbrella of the Cosmic Light programme, organised by IAU during the International Year of Light 2015. The goal of this brochure is to raise the profile of recent advancements in our understanding of light pollution, in particular regarding the use of LEDs, to support the astronomy community and increase public awareness of light pollution research. The Brochure is now available in Filipino at this link.
c) Research Highlight: These tools help visually impaired scientists read data and journals
In this Nature article, the author outlines the barriers blind and low-vision people have to enter STEM fields and the tools that can help them break through those barriers. Find out more here.
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!
