Astronomy 2009

National activities

Most events are organised at the regional level and grouped according to language (german, french, and italian). The national steering commitee organises also several important national events.

1. Opening ceremony

This event will gather personalities from politics, the federal administration, universities, the press, and actors in Swiss astromoy to announce the Swiss IYA2009 program. The topic of the ceremony, held 5 february 2009 at the University Bern, is « Astronomy in Switzerland: top science for a small country ». (Participation on invitation; ).

2. A project for young people: the IYA2009 Special Price

In the framework of the "Schweizer Jugend forscht" competition a special price is available for astronomy in 2009. The competition closes with an exhibition and price distribution 23-25 april 2009 in Geneva. The price includes a 10-day trip to Chile with visits of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the possibility to carry out observations at the Swiss Telescope in La Silla. The call has been distributed at all Swiss schools in august 2008.

3. 100 Hours of Astronomy

A series of astronomical events will take place during five days and nights in Switzerland from 2 to 5 april 2009. For information on events in your region please consult the calendar.

4. Swiss ressources and material

A 24 page Brochure presenting the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and Astronomy in Switzerland has been edited. A short flyer with excerpts from the brochure will present the IYA2009 activities. The flyer will be distributed widely at all events.

The exhibition «From Earth to the Universe» has been adapted and will circulate in Switzerland, starting at the opening ceremony in Berne. Several copies of the exhibition material in german, french, and italian are available to schools, amateur societies etc. during the entire year.

5. Closing ceremony

At the end of IYA2009 the different voluntary actors (amateur astronomers, teachers etc.) will meet with professional astronomers and other scientists at a common event at the Swiss Museum of Transport. This meeting of the Schweizerische Astronomische Gesellschaft (SAG), the Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy (SSAA), and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (sc|nat) takes place 13-14 november 2009 in Lucerne. For more information consult the Webpage or the flyer.