International Year of Astronomy 2009

 The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.

The IYA 2009 is a global celebration of astronomy.  2009 is the 400th anniversary of the first use of a telescope astronomically by Galileo Galilei.  The main website for IYA 2009 is: http://www.astronomy2009.org