“International Year of Astronomy” promotes science literacy around Wisconsin

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Young astronomers walk through the “From Earth to the Universe” image exhibit in celebration of the Int'l Year of Astronomy.
Young astronomers walk through the “From Earth to the Universe” image exhibit in celebration of the Int'l Year of Astronomy.

The International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009 celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo recording his first observations through a telescope.

Astronomers at UW and around the world are using this special event to promote science literacy in their local communities.

Laura Trouille, a UW astronomy graduate student, received a NASA IYA Ambassador Grant to bring the "From Earth to the Universe" astronomy image exhibit to Wisconsin.  This scavenger hunt helps lead kids (and kids-at-heart) through the forty beautiful astronomy images with captions in English, Spanish and Hmong.

The exhibit is on tour throughout the summer:

  • June 27:  Dane County Farmers' Market, Madison
  • July 8th-31st: Milwaukee Planetarium
  • September 1st-October 15th at Yerkes Observator, University of Chicago

For the kids, visit here for more information and be sure to check out the UW Space Place for many astronomy events throughout Wisconsin this summer.

Come explore the Universe with us!