GAM 2018 Blog
- Published: Monday, April 30 2018 09:00
By Jessica Santascoy
Astronomy is a gateway for learning science, says founder and president of Astronomers Without Borders, Mike Simmons. Many people agree and there’s data to prove it. Astronomy can also help remedy an issue you might not have thought about: loneliness. Loneliness is an increasing worldwide phenomena, affecting approximately 30% of us in the United States alone.
The effects of loneliness are profound. By some estimates, loneliness is as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes in a day. Loneliness increases vulnerability to depression, anxiety, dementia and cardiovascular disease. It often leads to reduced task performance, impaired reasoning and limited creativity.
Astronomers Without Borders was founded on the knowledge that we are one people, one sky. Inclusion and a sense of community are embedded in the phrase. We immediately make it clear that you are welcome, no matter who you are or where you are located. Our programs reflect our ideals and the reality that we all share the same sky.
Global Astronomy Month offers programs every April that encourage people to look up together. Shared experience helps people feel part of something - and feeling like we’re part of something helps ease loneliness.
Our programming is truly participatory. You can go online for a panel discussion, or view the sky through a virtual telescope. You can write poetry or make art and participate in our contests. There are programs for everyone, at any age, and almost everyone in any part of the world can join. If you mostly work online, attending an in-person event is a great way to help you stay connected to people. You might even be inspired to join an astronomy club.
Astronomy as Community: Malaysia Sabah Stargazers and AWB President Mike Simmons
We have over 160 events, including star parties, during Global Astronomy Month. I’d like to share one of our programs that demonstrates the sense of connection you can get through our programs — even after GAM.
Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi has been taking us on virtual sky tours for the last 8 years. This year he was joined by artist Bettina Forget, who pointed out features of the moon that are named after women. The follow-up was an online moon sketching workshop, in which people carefully observe and learn more about the moon by drawing it. You can learn how to sketch the moon even if you couldn’t make it to the live workshop, because the event, like most of our events, is recorded.
Gianluca and Bettina take you for a walk on the moon
By pairing art and science we are acknowledging that different types of interests can be merged, and that artistic interests can be a motivation for learning more about science. Plus, it’s fun to take a tour of important women of history while looking at the moon!
Our Sketching the Moon workshop is available 24/7
Looking up with a community reminds us that we truly are one people, one sky. When we are alone and look up, having experienced one of AWB’s programs can bring back a memory of connection.
We look forward to seeing you, hearing from you, and looking up with you next year for GAM2019!
Help us build hope and inspiration through astronomy!
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Jessica Santascoy is the GAM2018 Coordinator. She has an extensive background in outreach. She was the astronomy outreach coordinator at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for the NASA Night Sky Network. She and her team at the AstroSociety earned a NASA Group Achievement Award. Photo credit: Scott Roberts, Explore Scientific
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Watch the Sketching the Moon workshop
Special thanks to our sponsors: Celestron, SkyWatchers and SouthernStars
