EXCITEMENT IS building as sky watchers and stargazers around the world are celebrating the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) initiated by the United Nations and the International Astronomical Union. An overwhelming 135 countries including the Philippines are working together in bringing the universe down to earth.
A wide range of activities are lined up for the global celebration of IYA 2009 to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme: “The Universe, Yours to Discover”.
The Cornerstone Project of IYA 2009 is “100 Hours of Astronomy”, a 100-hour, round-the-clock, round-the-globe event on April 2-5 that includes live webcasts from research observatories, public observing events and other activities around the world. One of the key goals of 100HA is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago.
Puerto Princesa City is one of the few cities in the country that will participate in the “100 Hours of Astronomy” and residents will have a chance of a lifetime to see the craters of the moon in detail, or to be amazed at the beauty of Saturn and its rings. This will take place at the Baywalk on April 2-4, 4:00 to 9:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by Beans and Pages in cooperation with the city government and the Astronomical League of the Philippines. A group of astronomers with their personal telescopes will share their knowledge and set up viewing points at the Baywalk to provide opportunities for the city residents to peek into space at breathtaking objects for FREE.
On April 2-4, the residents of Puerto Princesa City will be among the millions of people around the world who will be gazing up at the sky simultaneously and marveling at the wonders of the heavens. Nothing of this scale has been done before. Every participant will be making history.
The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global event that is happening locally. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration or PAGASA is the lead agency for all activities regarding the IYA.
