2009 for the Stars: Partial Solar Eclipse and Official Launch of the International Year of Astronomy in South Africa
20 Jan 2009, 22:00 UTC
After the massive public kick-off event in Sutherland on New Year’s Eve the astronomy community has come together once again for the official launch event of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Making clever use of an astronomically cool opportunity we have chosen the official launch timing to coincide with a partial solar eclipse which will be visible all across Southern Africa around 7am on the 26th January 2009.The main launch event will take place at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town where the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, will be in attendance along with a number of astronomers. The public and media are invited to attend this launch event to safely view the eclipse and ask whatever questions they may have about astronomy. The event will take place at the SAAO in Cape Town from 06:30 to 09:30 on Monday morning 26th January 2009. There will be an online activity as well with a live webcast of the eclipse being broadcast from Sutherland. Pictures will also be uploaded onto this website from collaborators across the path of the eclipse (including from the South African weather station on Gough Island).It is important for everyone to note that it is very dangerous to look directly at the sun ANYTIME, not just during eclipses, and doing so can cause permanent damage to your eyes. During the eclipse there will be a number of public viewing sites all across the country at schools, planetariums, science centres, malls, restaurants, even peoples homes – a list of sites is available on the IYA2009 website – where the public can safely view the eclipse through appropriate filters. There are also is also a list of places on the website where one can obtain eclipse viewers.More information is available on the IYA2009 website www.astronomy2009.org.za, where you will find links to the live webcast, the list of public viewing sites and the list of eclipse viewer suppliers.
Contact persons: Enrico Olivier (Astronomer): olivier(at)saao.ac.za or 0834835557 / 0214609313 Kevin Govender (IYA co-ordinator): kg(at)saao.ac.za (available on cellphone from Sunday 25th – 0824878466)
