The International Year of Astronomy at the University of Iowa


The United Nations has declared 2009 to be the "International Year of Astronomy". This year has been chosen because it is the 400th anniversary of the first astronomical use of the telescope by Galileo. Galileo's use of the telescope as a scientific instrument ushered in the modern age, not only in astronomy, but also in physics and other physical sciences. The International Year of Astronomy is intended for the general public of every country. The goal is to communicate a sense of awareness of astronomy to everyone. This awareness includes a reacquaintance with the daytime and nighttime sky that was common knowledge to our ancestors. It also includes sharing the wonderful discoveries about the universe that have been made since the time of Galileo, and at an accelerating rate in the last few decades. As a major public university, the University of Iowa is pleased to offer a series of public talks on astronomy in the year 2009, what it has learned about the universe, and how it affects our view of our place in the universe.

Schedule of Public Lectures

 Date   Title of Talk   Speaker 
  Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 7PM    The Sun Since the Time of Galileo   Dr. Steven R. Spangler 
  Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 7PM    The Physics of Astrophysics: The Universe on a Tabletop    Mr. Dale E. Stille 
  Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 7 PM    The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe     Dr. Robert L. Mutel  
  Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 7 PM    Finding Our Place in the Cosmos     Dr. Kenneth G. Gayley  
  Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 7PM    Future Spacecraft Exploration of the Solar System     Dr. William S. Kurth  
  Saturday, July 18, 2009, 8PM   ------    ------ 
  Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 7PM    Exploring the Ancient Climate of Mars     Dr. Ingrid A. Ukstins Peate 
  Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 7PM    Black Holes of All Sizes     Dr. Philip Kaaret  
 Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7PM   ------    ------ 

All events are at 7:00 PM in Lecture Room1 of Van Allen Hall on the University of Iowa campus, except for July 18, which will be held at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center near Mt. Vernon, Iowa beginning at 8PM.
International Year of Astronomy World Web Page
USA IYA 2009 National Node Web Page
Astronomy in Our Neighborhood: The Cedar Amateur Astronomers
The Sun at this moment
The Astronomy Picture of the Day