GAM Press Releases
- Created: Monday, March 21 2011 20:08
Around the world in 30 nights
Throughout April 2011, StarPeace, in cooperation with Astronomers Without Borders (AWB), invites everyone to create a chain of world peace while gazing at the wonders of the night sky as a series of events circumnavigates the world for 30 nights.
How does it work?
Beginning in North and South America, events move eastward every three days through ten equal segments of 36 degrees oflongitude each. Everyone is invited to take part as their country’s turn comes up by organizing star parties or simply going out and observing the sky. By encouraging people across borders to look at the sky at the same time, StarPeace and AWB hope to raise awareness of our being One People under One Sky.
How to connect?
Organisers in the same longitude segment are encouraged to plan simultaneous events sharing the beauty and wonder of the night sky. StarPeace partners can be found by registering events on the Global Astronomy Month (GAM) website. Once registered, each group’s location appears on the world map, with the group’s details and contact information available to others. It’s easy to find other groups who have registered events in a neighboring country or elsewhere in the same longitude segment. Partnerships can be made in advance and events organised to include simultaneous observations, an exchange of messages or even real-time communication.
The GAM team can help groups connect as well. Send email to [email protected].
Those who simply go out with their friends and families can connect via Twitter using the hashtag #starpeace.
When is your country’s turn?
30 Nights of StarPeace begins 1-3 April in Alaska in the first longitude segment and ends 28-30 April with East Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and Russia. For a list of all the countries and their segments visit: http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/programs/program-schedule/588.html
30 Nights of StarPeace is organized by the StarPeace project and Astronomers Without Borders. StarPeace is a global project that promotes peace and friendship between citizens of all nations by organizing joint public star parties, especially near the borders of neighboring countries, showing the immensity of the Universe as a reminder of how small Planet Earth really is. StarPeace was designated a Special Project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and continues as part of that highly successful year's heritage.
Astronomers Without Borders is dedicated to fostering understanding and goodwill across national and cultural boundaries by creating relationships through the universal appeal of astronomy. Astronomers Without Borders bring people together around the world. Global Astronomy Month (GAM) is one such project.
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More information:
- GAM2011 Website: http://www.gam-awb.org
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/gam_awb
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gam.awb
- StarPeace Website: http://www.starpeace.org/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/starpeace
- Facebook: http://on.fb.me/StarPeace
For further information please contact:
Mike Simmons
President, Astronomers Without Borders
Chair, GAM2011 Working Group
[email protected]
+1 818 486 7633
Thilina Heenatigala
GAM2011 Coordinator
[email protected]
+94 716 245 545
Oana Sandu
GAM2011 Public Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
+40 724 024 625
Irene Shivaei
30NSP Coordinator
[email protected]
+98 912 1462004
