Astronomy Day

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Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day Celebration Lecture - Amalendu Bandyopadhyay - Digha Science Centre - New Digha - East Midnapore 2015-05-02 9404.JPG
An Astronomy Day celebration in West Bengal, India
StatusActive
GenreAstronomy-related events and competitions
Date(s)Saturday between mid-April and mid-May on or just before the first quarter moon
FrequencySemi-annually (Spring and Fall)
CountryUnited States and later others
Years activesince 1973
Participants Astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts
Websiteastronomyday.astroleague.org

Astronomy Day is an annual event in various countries, intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.

Contents

History

This event was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoy views of the heavens. Since then the event has expanded and is now sponsored by a number of organizations associated with astronomy. [1]

Originally, Astronomy Day occurred on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, and was scheduled so as to occur at or close to the first quarter Moon. In 2007, an autumn Astronomy Day was added. It was scheduled to occur on a Saturday between mid-September and mid-October so as to be on or close to the first quarter Moon.

Future events

The lunar influence on the schedule means that the events happen on a different date each year, rather than set calendar dates. The table below shows the dates for up coming Astronomy Days:

Timeline of Astronomy Day events [2]
YearSeasonAstronomy DayFirst Quarter Moon
2024SpringMay 18May 15
AutumnOctober 12October 10
2025SpringMay 3May 4
AutumnSeptember 27September 29
2026SpringApril 25April 21
AutumnSeptember 19September 14

Past events

Timeline of Astronomy Day events [2]
YearSeasonAstronomy DayFirst Quarter Moon
2005SpringApril 16April 16
2006SpringMay 6May 5
2007SpringApril 21April 24
2008SpringMay 10May 12
2009SpringMay 2May 1
2010SpringApril 24April 21
AutumnOctober 16October 14
2011SpringMay 7May 10
AutumnOctober 1October 3
2012SpringApril 28April 30
AutumnOctober 20October 21
2013SpringApril 20April 18
AutumnOctober 13October 11
2014SpringMay 10May 7
AutumnOctober 4October 1
2015SpringApril 25April 25
AutumnSeptember 19September 21
2016SpringMay 14May 13
AutumnOctober 8October 9
2017SpringApril 29May 2
AutumnSeptember 30September 27
2018SpringApril 21April 22
AutumnOctober 13October 16
2019SpringMay 11May 11
AutumnOctober 5October 5
2020SpringMay 2April 30
AutumnSeptember 26September 23
2021SpringMay 15May 19
AutumnOctober 9October 12
2022SpringMay 7May 8
AutumnOctober 1October 2
2023SpringApril 29April 27
AutumnSeptember 23September 22


The Astronomical League canceled the in-person event in 2020 due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 virus. [3] Some organizations, such as the Lowell Observatory, hosted virtual events to continue the tradition. [4]

See also

Events

References

  1. Editors of Sky and Telescope;"Celebrate Astronomy Day". Nepe Sky And Telescope:April 28, 2012
  2. 1 2 "Astronomy Day Fact Sheet | The Astronomical League". www.astroleague.org. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  3. "Astronomy Day Cancellation | the Astronomical League". 23 April 2020.
  4. "Astronomy is for Everyone | National Astronomy Day 2020 » Lowell Observatory". May 2020.