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Sep 15
2017
ASTRONOMERS WITHOUT BORDERS COLLECTING ECLIPSE-VIEWING GLASSES FOR 2019 SOLAR ECLIPSES IN ASIA AND SOUTH AMERICA
by 
Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeAstronomers Without Borders (AWB, http://astronomerswithoutborders.org ) is collecting eclipse-viewing glasses from across the US to send to schools in South America and Asia for use during solar eclipses that cross the continents in 2019. As a total eclipse of the Sun swept across the continental U.S from coast to coast on August 21 for the first time in nearly a century, millions of eclipse glasses were used to safely witness this dramatic celestial event. Now, AWB and its corporate partner Explore Scientific ( https://explorescientificusa.com ), have launched a nationwide grassroots initiative to collect gently used eclipse glasses to give them... Read More...
Jul 12
2017
Get Free Totality App by Big Kid Science to Enjoy the Upcoming August Solar Eclipse
by Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeWe are excited to announce that our eclipse program partners Big Kid Science, an educational company founded by astrophysicist Dr. Jeffrey Bennett, has created a free, educational app to help people plan and prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017 the first total solar eclipse visible from the continental United States in almost four decades. Totality by Big Kid Science, previously released for iOS in May, and now also available for Android is THE app to have on your device that can show you how much of an eclipse you can see at... Read More...
Jul 04
2017
Bringing STEM into Girls' Classrooms - AWB's Latest BIG Campaign
by Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeWhatever country or culture across the world, science teachers traditionally have a challenging road ahead of them each year when it comes to having their students embrace science, technology, engineering and math or (STEM education). The ultimate goal is to not only make learning more enjoyable but also keep the students motivated. And this is exactly what Murray Henstock, science teacher at Wiley Park Girls High School in New South Wales, Australia believes he has managed to tap into using astronomy and a fun planetarium initiative as the perfect springboard. But Henstock's school has more than its fair share of... Read More...
Jun 21
2017
ASTRONOMERS WITHOUT BORDERS LAUNCHES BUILDING ON ECLIPSE EDUCATION PROGRAM
by Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeAs the United States prepares for the first total solar eclipse to race across the entire continental United States in 99 years, on August 21, 2017, Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) is launching a major new nationwide initiative that will have a significant, long‐lasting impact on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. This educational campaign, sponsored by Google, is open to all across the US, with a special emphasis on underserved communities who may not otherwise have the opportunity of leveraging the rare natural laboratory of a solar eclipse to learn about the importance of the sun and its light.... Read More...
Jun 07
2017
The Eclipse Megamovie Project
by Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeWe invite you to check out this invitation to participate in a very cool eclipse project run by our friends at Google and Astronomical Society of the Pacific. "We're excited to announce an opportunity to contribute to a first-of-its-kind citizen science project: the Eclipse Megamovie ! Representing a collaboration between Google, UC Berkeley, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and others, the project will use photographs of the upcoming August 21st total solar eclipse to build a movie of the entire eclipse from coast to coast. We need skilled photographers to help create the movie as well as support solar... Read More...
Jun 05
2017
ASTRONOMERS WITHOUT BORDERS OFFERS GIVEAWAY OF SOLAR VIEWING GLASSES TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
by Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeCalabasas, CA, June 20, 2017:Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) is excited to announce that in celebration of the upcoming August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse, it will be providing over 100,000 solar viewing glasses to underserved communities across the United States. The donation recipients will be selected from deserving groups serving minority based-schools, youth community centers, children's hospitals and others through an online registration process on the AWB website . “This eclipse is historic, with a huge effort underway by organizations across the country to prepare people for the experience and use this rare opportunity to teach science,” said Mike Simmons,... Read More...
Feb 23
2017
ASTRONOMERS WITHOUT BORDERS ANNOUNCES MAJOR FUNDING FOR AMERICAN ECLIPSE OUTREACH
by Zoe Chee
Zoe CheeCalabasas, CA, February 23, 2017: Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) is pleased to announce generous funding from Google, a world-leading tech firm, in support of its project using the first total solar eclipse visible across the United States since 1918 as a springboard to implementation of an exciting nationwide science educational campaign. Working in partnership with established national astronomy and educational organizations like the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Astronomical League, and Science Technology Advanced Resource, AWB is launching a major new initiative that will have a significant, long‐lasting impact on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. This educational... Read More...
Sep 21
2016
Creating a High School Astronomy Club From Scratch
In September 2014, after attending a meeting by Portland, Oregon-based Rose City Astronomers club, then high school junior Kasey Yoke felt motivated to start an astronomy club at her high school in Tigard, Oregon. Fast-forward two years: Yoke is now en route to Oregon State University's Honors College to pursue degrees in mathematics and theoretical physics. Her astronomy club? It grew to about 100 members, led by Yoke to fundraise and donate $1000 to AWB. At the Rose City Astronomers meeting Yoke attended, Astronomers Without Border's President Mike Simmons participated as a guest speaker. Yoke said that his message stuck... Read More...
Aug 31
2016
A Personal Reflection
Editor's Note: We are sad to announce the passing of our close partner and friend Chuck Ruehle, the co-founder of Telescopes to Tanzania an ongoing AWB flagship program. AWB's president and founder, Mike Simmons, reflects on the life and personal connection with Chuck and his everlasting legacy with the people of Tanzania. Most stars are born, live their lives, and fade out with little notice, with little effect on the expanse around them. But a very few have a significant impact and leave a legacy that fuels the creation of new stars, and perhaps new life, both near and far.... Read More...
May 24
2016
Aristarchus Campaign
Have photos of the Mercury transit? Our Aristarchus Campaign already has over 100 photos from 7 regions around the world, and we would like to see more contributions. Here is a montage of photos already being used in the project. Go here to share more: http://astronomerswithoutborders.org/awb-programs/community-based-programs/aristarchus-campaign-mercury-transit-2016.html Read More...
Dec 14
2015
AWB Honored with Prestigious Gabrielle and Camille Flammarion Prize
Mike Simmons, Founder and President of Astronomers Without Borders (AWB), received the prestigious 2014 Gabrielle and Camille Flammarion Prize, given by the Société Astronomique de France (SAF) on December 11, 2015 at the Paris Observatory for “setting a worldwide example that astronomy does transcend political and cultural borders.” Paris Observatory astrophysicist and SAF vice-president David Valls-Gabaud presented the award in a ceremony where Simmons spoke about AWB's efforts to continue bringing people together with astronomy. It was the first time an American received the award, which since 1930 honors those committed to popularize astronomy. “Astronomers Without Borders has been absolutely... Read More...
Dec 08
2015
Telescopes to Tanzania Update: Prepping the Scope
Members of the Racine Astronomical Society have been working hard on refurbishing the 12 inch telescope for Tanzania. One member is working on some parts for the mount and drive as another has most of the drive mechanics figured out. The mount should be ready in the next month or so. Several members have been working on the optical tube assembly and this past weekend installed the mirrors and mounted it on the HGM 200 mount in building 2 of the observatory. Two members took some pictures. One person had rough collimated the mirrors, but unfortunately the secondary was not... Read More...
Nov 16
2015
Planning for Tanzanian Observatory
This past Tuesday, November 10 was a day well spent. My son Bernard and I, on behalf of Telescopes to Tanzania, had the good fortune of meeting with the founding members of the Centre for Science. Over the course the morning and early afternoon, we discussed the finer details of the design, orientation, and construction of what will be Tanzania's first professional grade astronomical observatory. There is certainly more to tell, but for now, a quick, genuine note of thanks to Frank, Samuel, Azael, Lydia, Thomas, Hodian, and Josiah for their warm welcome, hospitality, creativity, and genuine passion for the... Read More...
Sep 30
2015
Telescopes to Tanzania Update - Sept. 2015
When the burden is heavy and the skies are cloudy the work we have chosen can seem impossible until friends, partners and generous donors put their shoulders to the plow and their hearts on the line. Thank you for your hands and hearts in moving Chuck's dream forward. On Saturday September 26th members of the Racine Astronomical Society spent hours working on the 12 inch Cave Cassegrain Telescope being refurbished for its placement in a roll-off observatory. Now the mount is assembled, the tube rings are installed, the focuser is mounted, the counterweights are being machined to size, and the... Read More...
Sep 15
2015
Heavenly Ali - Dark Skies in China
Dark Skies preserves are starting to pop up in China now and more is wanted. This video features a great example, "Heavenly Ali, Best Sky". Produced by Starry Sky Project of China, that is part of IDA, shows a beautiful dark sky area in Tibet. This dark sky reserve is located on a high plateau where there are ideal observing conditions and where the Chinese National Observatory is housed. Enjoy this beautiful video and help support dark skies in China. Read More...
Sep 08
2015
Young Astronomy Enthusiasts from Ilboru - Telescopes to Tanzania Update
Submitted by Eliatosha Maleko At Ilboru primary school with the total of 1250 students there are different subject clubs but Geography and Science clubs are the ones with huge number of students. This is due curious nature of the students and nature of the two subjects towards responding to their curiosity. What interest them the most is the relation between what is up in the sky in connection to their environment. On today's night standard five students wanted to know more about nearby planets which we can see at night like Venus and Jupiter. And most of the students were... Read More...
Sep 01
2015
Telescopes to Tanzania - Update on Chuck
Masaai Cancer doctor Dr. Michael Mullane and Cancer warrior August 27th it has been three weeks since the diagnosis of cancer for Chuck. In that time he has spent all but three of days in the hospital. Today he is home resting and preparing for the next round of impatient chemotherapy likely to begin later next week. Alongside us from day one has been an amazing Doctor, who yesterday wrapped himself in a Maasai Shuka blanket when he visited Chuck sharing the latest updates and information. Together with the fantastic staff on 3 B at Wheaton Franciscan Hospital, the... Read More...
Aug 26
2015
GAM 2015 Wrap-Up Report
GAM 2015 was a great success! With 28 programs that ran through out the month, 18 posts from around the world at our GAM Blog, and 70,000 viewers took part in the Virtual Telescope online parties. Our social media was ablaze with 750,000 impressions (the number of times a post was “Liked”, shared, or had a comment) on Facebook over the whole month and an average of 1500 likes per day. Twitter was also very popular with 44,000 impressions during April. Our most popular events were the Virtual Telescope shows, Asteroid Search Campaign and the AstroPhotography Contest. View the full... Read More...
Aug 25
2015
Ambassadors Report from Tanzania
Telescope Viewing Good news has arrived from Tanzania! The Ambassadors sent a report on progress both in the schools and at the observatory site. Nine schools were visited recently, with introductions to astronomy for new schools, and new lessons for continuing schools. Lessons on using a telescope, presentations on Pluto's change in planetary status, and teacher training all brought excitment to students and teachers alike. Mr Miley providing books An important presentation for teachers covered integration of astronomy with the study of other science. With small telescopes and the sky overhead science teachers have a natural laboratory that can be... Read More...
Aug 11
2015
Notes from Tanzania - Report by Elineema Nassary
I and Ambassadors are doing fine, as I wrote to you, Sunday we had meeting. In our meeting, we have discussed what ambassadors are going to do in schools, we have already discussed and agreed together what we are going to share with students at this second round. After discussion I and Miley, we had time to teach ambassadors on how to arrange, assemble and how to use telescope and all ambassadors are now able to use telescope well. I have attached photos of the work of today. Read More...
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