The International Year of Astronomy (STILL?)
I know, I know... You’re thinking “Why is he still writing about something that happened 4 years ago?” Well, it’s because even now, I keep finding the fruits from that tree. Either in the form of projects that were created, appeared because, or had huge boosts during IYA2009 . And the first that comes to mind is, of course, Global Astronomy Month (GAM), a direct descendant of the largest outreach activity in history – 100 Hours of Astronomy ( 100HA ). I am very proud to have played a small part in both of them, co-creating SunDay . But if...
Getting involved in Astronomy
Astronomy is a very interesting field. From the craters on our moon, the wonderful cluster of stars, to the solar prominences of our Sun I find these things simply amazing. Since early times, people have been interested in observing and learning about the Universe. Today many people enjoy astronomy as a hobby and some even go on to astronomy as a career. But aside from scientists, people from many professions can now become involved in the study of the Universe and make important contributions. Getting involved in astronomy can happen on many levels. You can admire the stars...
Working in Astronomy
The path to a career in astronomy is often seen as very narrow: from school to a good university, a postgraduate education, and onwards into academia. Astronomy is research – observing with telescopes, creating and testing intricate models of the Universe, figuring out the answers to long-standing questions. It sounds daunting, and many people choose to pursue other paths. But there are many ways to play an active and important role in astrophysical research. In the time I’ve spent engaging in “outreach” activities (such an ugly word!), I’ve heard dozens give me the same reasons for not making a profession...
The Light at the End of the Telescope
Astronomy education plays a very crucial role, not just in promoting astronomy but also in improving the science literacy of a society. Most developing countries have lagged behind, not just in terms of astronomy awareness and education, but also in terms of economic status and basic human needs. In fact, education can be seen as a tool to break the cycle of poverty and improve living conditions. In countries such as the Philippines, education usually gets a small percentage of the national budget, leading to lack of teachers and infrastructure. One of the biggest, and understated, role of astronomy is...
AstroArts
It has been nearly a year since Thilina Heenatigala, the AWB communication manager, and I started talking about the possibility of having an ongoing art program in collaboration with Astronomers without Borders. Meeting Astronomers without Borders in March 2011 was for me already a life changing experience, in fact for the first time during Global Astronomy Month 2011, my art project OPTICKS was presented as a live event for the international AWB community. People from all around the world watched the performance, web streamed live from the Dwingeloo radio telescope cabin in The Netherlands. This event reinforced my belief that...
