CEHD News

The Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium will kick-off the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA) with a new Mission Monday series beginning on January 26, 7:30 p.m.

The event will feature a look at the night sky in Australia via a live satellite uplink with the University of Southern Queensland. UofL physics professor John Keilkopf will lead the discussion. In addition, there will be a showing of “Journey to Palomar,” a PBS documentary about American astronomer George Ellery Hale’s quest to build some of the world’s largest telescopes. His efforts led to the installation of a million-pound telescope on Palomar Mountain in California.

IYA is a world-wide celebration of astronomy and its contributions to our society and culture. It was launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and International Astronomy Union. One of the goals of the Year is to stimulate interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science. The event also highlights the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei’s use of the first astronomical telescope. Activities will take place at global, national and local levels, and will feature collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, educators, science centers and science communicators.

Other events have been planned at the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium in recognition of IYA. Following the Jan. 26 kick-off, the planetarium will host a Hubble Telescope and image unveiling event and lecture on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

UofL astronomy experts will host several workshops in 2009 for amateur stargazers and use of telescopes. The telescope workshops will be held at the planetarium, 7:30-9 p.m., on March 7, July 11, Aug. 1, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.

These events are free to the public. For more details, call 502-852-6664, or visit the planetarium website at www.louisville.edu/planetarium/.