100 Hours of Astronomy: worldwide astronomy marathon set to break records

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone project, 100 Hours of Astronomy, is on track to be the largest single science public outreach event ever. More than 1500 events have been registered in over 130 countries and this number is increasing every day. 100 Hours of Astronomy is a truly global project; an event on a scale never attempted before, with more than one million people expected to participate!
100 Hours of Astronomy (100HA) is a Cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). It is a worldwide celebration composed of a broad range of activities aimed at involving the public. 100HA will take place over four days and nights, from 2–5 April 2009. During this period, people from around the globe will share the experience and wonders of observing the sky. For many, it will be their first glimpse of the marvels of the heavens through a telescope. For others, it is the perfect opportunity to impart their knowledge and excitement, helping unveil the cosmos to fresh and eager eyes.
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) will be participating in the excitement of the 100HA. The programme includes participation in the some of the global 100HA events.
Thursday, 2 April, 19h00Science Centre Webcast at MTN Science Centre, Canal WalkThe MTN Science Centre at Canal Walk, Century City, will be participating in a global webcast with science centres from around the world to discuss the importance of space observations throughout history. The South African contribution will highlight naked eye observations of the sky and the knowledge systems of indigenous people. Themba Matemola from Iziko Planetarium will be talking on indigenous African Astronomy during this webcast. The webcast will be followed by stargazing on the roof. More information can be found at http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/program/82-scence-center-webcast or contact Kevin Govender at 082 4878466.
Friday, 3 AprilAround the World in 80 TelescopesA live 24-hour video webcast  will take place from 3 April 09:00 UT to 4 April 09:00 UT, following day and night around the globe to some of the most advanced observatories on and off the planet. Participating telescopes include the Hawaii-based telescopes Gemini North and Keck, the Anglo-Australian Telescope, telescopes in the Canary Islands, the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), Chilean observatories such as ESO’s Very Large Telescope, space-based telescopes such as the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, ESA XMM-Newton and Integral, and many more. In fact, “Around the World in 80 Telescopes” will take viewers to every continent, including Antarctica! The webcast itself will be hosted at the European Southern Observatory’s headquarters in Munich, Germany with live streaming by Ustream.tv. Anyone with a web browser supporting Flash will be able to follow the show via the 100HA website and be a part of the project.
SALT will be featured at 23h00 on 100HA Ustream.tv channel found at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/100-hours-of-astronomy
Saturday, 4 April, 17h00Yuri’s Night at SA Astronomical Observatory, ObservatoryMembers of the public are invited to a bring-&-braai picnic at the SAAO in celebration of Yuri Gagarin’s journey into space on the Russian spaceship, Vostok 1, on 12 April 1961. Everyone wishing to attend should bring their own food. This event takes place at the SAAO in Observatory, Cape Town starting at 17h00 and is free to the public. Various space–related items will be exhibited; including a SunSpace satellite model, space debris, space memorabilia and meteorites. Stargazing will follow after talks by leading experts on the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory’s involvement in NASA missions and Space Technology. Contact Veronique Kazie-Ravat at 083 3574650 for bookings and more information.
Saturday, 4 April, 18h30Picnic & Stargazing at Edith Stephen's Wetland Park, Lansdowne Road, PhilippiMembers of the public are invited to bring a picnic and spend the evening stargazing. Everyone who wishes to attend should bring their own picnic basket. This event is free to members of the public. Short talks and slide shows will start at 7pm. Themba Matomela from Iziko Planetarium will wow the crowds with African starlore. Telescope viewing will take place throughout the evening. SAAO astronomy enthusiasts will explain the secrets of the night sky. In addition, enjoy short night walks in the wetland accompanied by a guide. This event is organised in association with Edith Stephen’s Wetland Park and Primary Science Programme (PSP). Please contact Marco Sheraton at Marco.sheraton(at)capetown.gov.za / 021 6918070 / 073 1698039 for bookings and more information.
100 Hours of Astronomy is a venture of breathtaking scope that will involve people from all walks of life around the globe. Get involved, and be part of a record-breaking worldwide event!
Links100HA website: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/100HA programme: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/program100HA Science Centre webcast: http://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/program/82-scence-center-webcast100HA Ustream.tv channel: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/100-hours-of-astronomyIYA2009 website: http://www.astronomy2009.org/SA IYA2009 website: www.astronomy2009.org.zaNotesThe vision of the IYA2009 is to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day and night-time skies the impact of astronomy and basic sciences on our daily lives, and understand better how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.
The aim of the IYA2009 is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme‚”The Universe, Yours to Discover”. IYA2009 events and activities will promote a greater appreciation of the inspirational aspects of astronomy that embody an invaluable shared resource for all countries.
The IYA2009 activities are taking place at the global and regional levels, and especially at the national and local levels. National Nodes in each state have been formed to prepare activities for 2009. These Nodes establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres, educators and science communicators in preparing activities for 2009. The International Year of Astronomy was proclaimed by the United Nations on 20 December 2007.
The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together almost 10 000 distinguished astronomers from all nations of the world. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.
Ustream.TV is the live interactive video broadcast platform that enables anyone with a camera and an internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. In less than two minutes, anyone can become a broadcaster by creating their own channel on Ustream or by broadcasting through their own site, empowering them to engage with their audience and further build their brand.
For more informationVeronique Kazie-Ravat100 Hours of Astronomy CoordinatorSA Astronomical ObservatoryTel.: 021 460 9317Cell: 083 357 4650E-mail: vk@saao.ac.za
Thembela MantungwaYuri’s Night CoordinatorSA Astronomical ObservatoryTel.: 021 460 9319Cell: 071 105 0109E-mail: tm@saao.ac