The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is an exciting global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first glimpses through a telescope and the birth of modern astronomy, it gives people all over the world the chance to get involved in this fascinating science and experience the wonders of the night time sky.
With the participation of 140 countries worldwide, and with events taking place nationally, regionally and globally throughout the year, IYA2009 is not only allowing people to observe first hand some of the amazing celestial bodies that make up our Universe, but is providing a wide variety of events and projects, from touring astronomy exhibitions to virtual blog interactions with practicing astronomers.