Année 2009 année internationale de l'astronomie

Bruxelles, le 13 avril 2007

Chers collègues,

Comme vous le savez certainement, l'année 2009 a été désignée Année
Internationale de l'Astronomie(International Year of Astronomy 2009, IYA2009) par l'IAU (International Astronomical Union).
Marquant les 400 ans de la première vision des astres à l'aide d'une lunette par Galilée, cette année sera l'occasion de fêter l'astronomie à travers une multitude d'activités impliquant jeunes et moins jeunes dans
un esprit festif.
Le Planétarium de l'Observatoire royal de Belgique a été choisi pour agir en
tant que point de contact(Special Point of Contact) pour la Belgique. Notre rôle sera ainsi de soutenir et d'assurer la promotion,
tant au niveau national qu'international (via les colloques de l'IAU), de
vos activités prévues pour 2009.

Ces activités pourront prendre différents aspects. C'est à chacun d'entre
vous, en tant qu'acteurs du monde astronomique au sens large, de, si vous le souhaitez, définir et d'organiser
les actions qui vous intéressent et qui vous semblent réalisables à votre niveau.

L'on peut citer par exemple :
o expositions, itinérantes ou non ;
o séances d'observations ;
o mise en place d'ateliers ;
o conférences ;
o activités dans les écoles, les universités, les laboratoires ;
o articles de presse, participation à des émissions de télévision et de
radio ;
o etc.

Nous nous chargerons de promouvoir ces différentes activités mises en place dans vos structures via un site Internet, des communiqués de presse, des brochures ou des posters(selon les financements disponibles).
L'on peut aussi songer à des événements de grande ampleur, au niveau
provincial, régional ou même national, impliquant des collaborations et des échanges.

Pour ce faire, un comité de pilotage va être mis sur pied. Nous serions très
heureux si vous pouviez en faire partie.

La participation à ce comité impliquera:
o la présence aux réunions périodiques (chaque trimestre dans un premier
temps, plus rapprochées
ensuite) qui auront pour but de discuter de l'organisation à grande échelle
de l'IYA2009 en Belgique
o de proposer des activités
o d'échanger des idées
o de faire l'état d'avancement général des projets

La communication des informations et des nouvelles se fera généralement par courrier électronique (mailing list qui sera ouverte à tous, et non pas aux seuls membres du comité de pilotage).

La pleine réussite collective de l'Année Internationale de l'Astronomie en
Belgique dépendra bien sûr de la participation active de vous tous.
Que vous soyez intéressés par faire parti du Comité de pilotage ou que vous soyez plus simplement désireux d'être informés des événements organisés en 2009 et de leur préparation, pourriez-vous nous faire part de votre souhait par e-mail à l'adresse
rodrigo.alvarez@planetarium.be (ou à défaut par
téléphone : 02/474.70.50 ou fax: 02/478.30.26) ?

La première réunion pourrait avoir lieu courant juin ; elle sera l'occasion
de partager nos premières idées et de commencer à planifier les actions à mener dans les deux années à venir.

Avec mes meilleurs sentiments,

Rodrigo Alvarez
Responsable du Planétarium de l'Observatoire royal de Belgique

On en parle la semaine prochaine.

J'ai été contacté par des confrères sur ce sujet...
Quand j'ai des infos, je les passerai via ce sujet.

TTF

Une réunion préparatoire a lieu le 18 juin à partir de 14h au planétarium de BXL.

Il faut vraiment qu'un responsable du planétarium organise une réunion à l'heure de l'occultation de vénus par la lune. Preuve d'une certaine incompétence.

Quel C.... en pleine semaine en plus...

Je dois dire que ... Là, évidemment, il fait fort...

TTF

Je devrais pouvoir me libérer. Nomallement, j'y serai.

Est-ce qu'une présence supplémentaire vous intéresse (ne fusse que pour la représentation) ou pas ?

Normalement, le 18, je me balade pas trop loin (une foire à Evere) donc : je pourrai passer. Mais je dois planifier.

Proposition ouverte, à vous de dire quoi...

TTF

Citation :

Est-ce qu'une présence supplémentaire vous intéresse (ne fusse que pour la représentation) ou pas ?

A voir avec Philippe.

Et bien, vu que j'ai été littéralement bloqué dans la réunion (prévue pour s'arrêter à 12h, mais qui a duré jusque 15h30 !!!) : pas eu moyen de me déplacer ni à ce meeting, ni de voir l'occultation...

Il y a des moments où le boulot (surtout avec le type de personnes qu'il a fallu "gérer", c'est lourd... )

Shaka, il faudra que tu me passes ton GSM, un jour...
Ainsi, j'aurai pu te prévenir...

Déso,
TTF

ttf a écrit:

Il y a des moments où le boulot (surtout avec le type de personnes qu'il a fallu "gérer", c'est lourd... )

Mort de rire...C'est précisément pourquoi j'y suis arrivé 20 minutes en retard. Heureusement, ils venaient de commencer. Je vous ferai un compte-rendu ce soir, si vous me le permettez. Pas facile de tout cumuler en même temps

ttf a écrit:

Shaka, il faudra que tu me passes ton GSM, un jour...

0497/163712.
Pas de problème, TTF, je comprends à 200 %. Je vis la même situation

[quote="Shaka"]

ttf a écrit:

Je vous ferai un compte-rendu ce soir, si vous me le permettez. Pas facile de tout cumuler en même temps

Present:

§ Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium Royal Observatory of Belgium)

• Roland Boninsegna (APEX – EAAE - FFAAB)
  

§ Jan Cuypers (Royal Observatory of Belgium)

• Stijn De Jonge (VVS)
  

§ Bénédicte Froidure (ESERO)

§ Marcel Goossens (CPA –KULeuven)

§ Roald Hayen (Sterrenwacht Altair)

• Patrick Jaecques (Astro event group)
  
• Chris Janssen (Europlanetarium Genk)
  

§ Emmanuel Jehin (Institut d’astrophysique et de géophysique - ULG)

• Alain Jorissen (Institut d’astronomie et d’astrophysique - ULB)
  

§ Anne Lemaître (FUNDP – Namur)

• Robrecht Lenaerts (Europlanetarium Genk)
  

§ Philippe Massart (Astronamur asbl)

• Friedel Pas (Preventie Lichthinder vzw / International Darksky Association Europe)
  

§ Viviane Pierrard (Belgian institute of Space Aeronomy + SRBA)

§ Eddy Pirotte (Volkssterrenwacht Beisbroek, Brugge)

§ Marc Van den Broeck (Volkssterrenwacht Urania, Hove)

• Stijn Vandenheiden (Astro event group)
  
• Michel Vander Elst (FFAAB)
  
• Felix Verbelen (Volkssterrenwacht MIRA - Grimbergen)
  

§ Anne-Lize Kochuyt (Planetarium Royal Observatory of Belgium / Minutes).



Excused:

§ Conny Aerts (KUL)

§ René Dejaiffe (SRBA)

§ Yaël Nazé (ULg)

§ Sophie Raynald (ROB)

§ Jean Surdej (ULg)

§ Fernand Van Den Abbeel (Astronomie Centre Ardenne)

§ Christoffel Waelkens (KUL)



1. Presentation of the IYA2009: generalities




The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) will be a global celebration of astronomy. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) plays a leading role as a catalyst and coordinator.

The IAU Executive Committee Working Group is willing to establish an international network of interconnecting organising bodies: therefore, each participating country has to design a Single Point of Contact (SpoC). For Belgium, Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium) has been elected by the Belgian National Committee for Astronomy to act as SpoC.

One of the major roles of the SpoC is to form a national organizing committee. In April 2007, an invitation to be part of the Belgian Steering Committee has been sent to the major actors involved in astronomy. The meeting of 18/06/07 is the first meeting of this Steering Committee.



RA gives an overview of the IYA2009 (see PowerPoint presentation):

o Generalities, organisational structure, role of the SPoCs

o Composition and purposes of the Belgian Steering Committee

o Branding guidelines of the IYA2009 in Belgium

o Examples of activities at a local/national level

o List of possible global events





2. Visibility of the IYA2009




The IAU Executive Committee Working Group has chosen a logo and a slogan for the IYA2009. The files can be downloaded at the following page:

http://www.astronomy2009.org/content/view/123/51/



Use of logo

The widespread use of the logo and slogan is encouraged. Each public communication about an IYA2009 activity should ideally display the logo. Contact information and a brief description of the IYA activity should be provided to RA in order to let him inform the IYA Secretary. The logo can be used from now on.



Slogan

The slogan “The universe – yours to discover” must be translated in French and Dutch.

The French Steering Committee has already chosen “L’Univers: découvrez ses mystères”. All French-speaking countries/regions are thus supposed to adopt this slogan (sic).

There is not yet such a translation in Dutch. Every member of the Steering Committee can propose and send by e-mail to RA some possible slogans. Propositions will be presented and discussed at the next meeting in September. Afterwards, contact will be taken with the SpoC in the Netherlands.

Suite:


1. Brainstorming: possible activities in Belgium




Roland Boninsegna (EAAE):

o Observation of the night sky is the most important topic to work with.

There are different possibilities:

Observation of the planets (Venus in January = longest evening elongation, in June = longest morning elongation / Jupiter)

The Moon = partial eclipse on the 31st of December 2009

Perseïdes: outburst on the 17th of November

o Theatre show of Galileo Galilei: RB saw it a couple of years ago in Brussels (Theatre des Martyrs

o RB will make a conference about Galileo Galilei in 2009



Alain Jorissen (ULB):

o AJ teaches astronomy at ULB; he is astonished to hear that 1 on 4 people still think that the Sun revolves around the Earth... It’s therefore important to put the emphasis on such basic knowledge instead on focusing too much on more complicate theories as the Big Bang and the black holes.

o Not long ago, a Foucault pendulum was installed in Liège: maybe there is a possibility in the Palais de la Justice or the Basilique of Koekelberg?

o Marathon of the Solar system: people in charge of the “20 km of Brussels” can be asked if they agree in making a scale model of the Solar System along the 20 km (ask ESA to conceive some material).

o Ask RTBF/VRT to broadcast every day in 2009 “Tous en orbite”; this program only lasts a couple of minutes and is very well done.

o Astronomy kit for schools: a very good idea.

o We can ask the cooperation of the Centre Scientifique de Parentville, they have already a lot of workshops and ateliers concerning astronomy.



Robrecht Lenaerts (Europlanetarium Genk):

o Europlanetarium already proposes a kit: children can make their own telescope with it. It contains the material for the telescope, a CD-rom, some explanations and the contact information of the popular observatory.

o Europlanetarium also organises a contest for schools: children can make astronomical projects.



Roland Boninsegna (EAAE):

o ESO also organises every year a contest for children.



Felix Verbelen (Volkssterrenwacht MIRA - Grimbergen):

o Most of the activities that are mentioned for the IYA2009 are done every day in the public observatories: star gazing, conferences, exhibitions...

MIRA will continue in 2009 their normal activities; the logo and promotional support of the IYA2009 will be used in that context.

o Solar System on scale: several observatories have such a Solar System (Europlanetarium Genk / Volssterrenwacht Beisbroek – Brugge). There is even one spread over whole Belgium from Oostende to Florenville (built by the Association Muco / Muco vereniging).

o To be sure to receive enough media attention, FV proposes to start attracting public figures from media or television in order to make them ambassadors of the IYA2009.



Robrecht Lenaerts (Europlanetarium Genk):

o Media, and especially newspapers, are always interested in editing some extra stuff, like a poster.



Friedel Pas (Preventie Lichthinder vzw / International Darksky Association Europe):

o In Flanders there is already a tradition of “Nacht van de duisternis”: several cities put out the light during one night. The last time there were 130 different activities and a total of 25.000 visitors. So it’s possible to organise one night of darkness in Belgium to have good conditions for stargazing.



Stijn De Jonge (VVS):

o The VVS always organise each year one stargazing weekend, normally in winter (night begins earlier), when the Moon and several planets are visible, so you can explain a lot of things. But it’s certainly possible to choose one weekend in Belgium with other organisations and combined it with a night of darkness: it would certainly be a huge success.



Michel Vander Elst (FFAAB):

o FFAB has the tradition to organise a “Journée de l’Astronomie” ou la “Nuit des étoiles filantes” (foreseen the 10 to 12/08/2007).

o Belgium has always been one of the most successful countries in organising events concerning astronomy. 3.000 to 3.500 people usually participate on “Nuit des étoiles filantes”.



Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium):

o The IAU asks to keep track of the amount of (new) participants to stargazing activities in 2009. RA suggests preparing a standard formulary to distribute to participants of such activities that will be hold in the country during 2009.

Suite 2:


Friedel Pas (Preventie Lichthinder vzw / International Darksky Association Europe):

o If we decide to organise an Astronomy Olympiad or a Marathon, there is always a possibility to work together with JCI (Junior Chamber International). This organisation can take charge of the organisational part of the event, so that we only have to supply the astronomical input (more info: http://www.jci.cc/local/home.php?org=31).



Patrick Jaecques (Astro event group):

o AEG organised in ’99 the First Astronomical Fair in Oostende; the city of Oostende gives subvention. First idea was to build a Planetarium but now AEG wants to organise a second Astronomical Fair in Oostende.

o Normally in November of 2008 the “Ruimtevaartdagen” of VRI will take place in Oostende and the idea is to ask them to delay this event and to organise it together with the Second astronomical fair on the 27th, 28th of February and the first of March 2009.

o AEG already collaborates with Earth Explorer, but they would like to organise the fair in collaboration with all the astronomical organisations of Belgium. It would take place on the same site as in ’99, just near Earth Explorer. It will be possible to organise sessions of observation on this site.

o AEG already has 4/5 of the budget needed; the 1/5 missing will be obtained through sponsoring. The entrance would be free for the public.

o AEG would like to organise games: visitors can win something (project of organising a competition for youth organisations: € 250 per project that can be used the whole year).

o Organisations that are interested in collaborating can take contact with AEG.

(=> See files enclosed)



Alain Jorissen (ULB):

o Make a list of all the street names in Brussels that refer to an astronomical item. And then work out a guided tour that passes all these streets. Eventually organise a game in Brussels with all the street names? (For instance: Cathedral Saint Guddule, statue of Quetelet)

o It is also possible to make a folder/map with the location of the streets and some explanations and distribute it via the tourist offices in Brussels.



Stijn De Jonge (VVS):

o In Leuven there is every year a scientific walk that is organised in the city.



Felix Verbelen (Volkssterrenwacht MIRA - Grimbergen):

o There are several cities that have already an astronomical tour in their tourist offer.



Roland Boninsegna (EAAE):

o A new public observatory will be opened in 2009 in the South of Belgium; this will be a great event and could be linked with the IYA2009.

o On the site http://users.skynet.be/boninsegna/, there are laboratory exercises for students of primary and secondary schools relating to Venus and Galileo. They can be downloaded and used freely.



Alain Jorissen (ULB):

o Will ESA participate to the IYA2009? Will they set up a travelling exhibition?

o In 2005 at the Cinquantenaire, ESA made an Earth & Space exhibition with several satellite pictures of the Earth; it attracted a lot of people. (Info: http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2005/esw/expo/article_1513_en.htm).



Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium):

o ESA didn’t attend the first international meeting about IYA2009 in Garching (NASA did). It’s not sure that ESA is willing to participate. But with the ESERO now implemented in the Planetarium, we have now a good contact with the ESA Educational Department: we will ask them if ESA is interested in helping.



Patrick Jaecques (Astro event group):

o We can try to contact Belgian astronomers who are working in ESA; it is maybe a faster way to make contact?



Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium):

o It is true; we can ask the collaboration of Frank De Winne.



Felix Verbelen (Volkssterrenwacht MIRA - Grimbergen):

o We have to be careful that we are not paying more attention to space then to astronomy.



Friedel Pas (Preventie Lichthinder vzw / International Darksky Association Europe):

o Yes, but the meaning of working with celebrities is to attract people to our activities.



Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium):

o NASA decided to focus on astronomy rather than aeronautics to respect the theme of IYA2009.



Chris Janssen (Europlanetarium Genk)

o ESA is participating to the conference “Communicating astronomy with the people” in Athens in October 2007.



Alain Jorissen (ULB):

o We have to be convinced that Europe is the world leader in astronomy and space sciences; people from Japan and the USA come to our conferences (like the GAIA conference held in Paris) to spy what is happening in Europe.



Friedel Pas (Preventie Lichthinder vzw / International Darksky Association Europe):

o There will be a travelling exhibition on light pollution that will be exposed in France and another country. They’re still searching for a third country where it can be exposed.



Robrecht Lenaerts (Europlanetarium Genk):

o Lot of people do not know what astronomers really do. That would be interesting to present to the public in what consists the real work of astronomers.



Patrick Jaecques (Astro event group):

o It’s the same with the history of astronomy, it’s not known at all by the public.

o AEG sent 10 questions to the students of the schools of Oostende, it was a multiple-choice questionnaire: all kinds of answers were received.

o Maybe it can be tried at a national level: a questionnaire with 10 questions on astronomy?



1. Questions




Is the government involved in the organisation of this IYA2009 in Belgium?

R. Alvarez: the Belgian Science Policy has been contacted, they know about the IYA2009.

But it would be nice that if each one of us contact its own authorities (local, regional, etc.) and ask for support.



2. Conclusion




Rodrigo Alvarez (Planetarium):

o The minutes of this first meeting will be send by e-mail. The next meeting is planned in week 37 (week of 10 September) and could be held at the Royal Observatory in Uccle.

o A precise date will be proposed by e-mail. Topics are: composition of the Steering Committee, ideas of (common) activities, slogan in Dutch, possible creation of workgroups, decision on concrete actions, etc.

Voila les minutes de la réunion du 18 juin.

Désolé de ne pas l'avoir mis plus tôt mais je suis débordé.

Je vais lire cela à tête reposée et y répondre.

Et merci à Philippe d'avoir été présent au nom du club à cette première réunion.

J'espère pouvoir aller à la réunion suivante du mois de septembre à l'IRM. Mais c'est mal parti car je suis de service toute la semaine sauf vendredi où je suis en congé pour notre réunion du club.