So what is IYA2009?

Well, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.

http://www.astronomy2009.org/general/

In the UK many event are being held across the country. The succesful Moon Watch is similar to our MoonFest, but is held at different time, so we do not clash with other societies holding these popular observing events.

MoonFest by HantsAstro, are held in different towns and cities across Hampshire and are always free to attend. MoonFest is registered as an IYA2009 event.

The UK Node for IYA2009 can be found here:

http://www.astronomy2009.co.uk/



The changing face of astronomy starts here...

HantsAstro was built for the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

We have pioneered new levels outreach both regionally and internationally in our first year and this is part of our DNA.

In the true spirit of IYA2009 this is some of what we have done from the outset:

We are the first Astronomy Group to offer Free Membership in UK on this scale, we now have over 170 members. We are also the first to operate multiple observing sites across a county, with pay-as -you-go site passes.

Over 70% of our members are brand new to astronomy in our first observing season.

Our average membership age is one of the youngest in the UK at just 33, nearly two generations younger than the UK Astronomy Group average of 57.

Our MoonFest Roadshows is the only event that travels across the county bringing astronomy to you.

Our Telescope Clinic was developed for the WSC Telescope Amnesty in 2008 and has since appeared at The Great Look Up in Surrey (2009) and will be at Herstmonceux (2010). This is also part of our MoonFest.

We promote all Astronomy Groups/Societies in Hampshire, via our website on every page and we also promote other groups in our free publications.

Our free electronic magazine Look Up! has been downloaded and read in over 60 countries, with an average readership of over 4,000 people per issue in its first year of publication...

Our Free AstroSouth Directory promotes over 60 astronomy Groups and Societies Across the South of England. Due to its warm reception from the astronomical community the second issue will be be expanded to cover an even larger part of the UK, containing information on over 90 Astronomical Groups.

We have some of the highest web traffic for an astronomy society website in the United Kingdom according to alexa.com.

This website can be translated into eight different languages, the first Astronomy website in UK to do so.

Over 15,000 people from 86 countries have visited this site so far this year. 23,000 since we started in 2008.



HantsAstro. More than just Hampshire Astronomy.

Ready to get inspired? Why not Join In with free membership, just download and fill in our simple PDF membership application form today!