German Chaparro (TF1 coordinator and leader of the radio astronomy working group) has published the results of a project to “evaluate the potential of the Colombian Andes for millimeter-wave astronomical observations” https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.06121
In October, the”Aula Bajo las Estrellas”, an initiative to gather primary and secondary educations instructors that use astronomy in their classroom, will be organized. Link to the event webpage. Event report (Spanish and English)
Public lecture by former US Astronaut Leland Melvin on 07 August 17, attended by more than 600 people. It was organized by East African ROAD and ESSTI in collaboration with US Embassy in Addis Ababa
Joint research collaboration has been initiated between Ethiopian and Tanzania Astronomers from Entoto Observatory and Kotebe Metropolitan University, Addis Ababa and from Open University of Tanzania, Dares Salaam
Meteorites China – A conference, workshop, and exhibition on the scientific and cultural significance of meteorites – 15-17 September 2017 – Duke Kunshan University. This international event brought together scientists (from geology to astrophysics), meteorite collectors, and science outreach specialists (museum curators and journalists). An extensive meteorite collection was on display for the public, and hundreds of school children attended the public events.
STEM education event – XJTLU (China), with a talk “Astronomy and Space Science as Tools for Education and Development” (July 2017)
Star Party 2017 was held on 21-23 October 2017, Lijiang (China). It was a three-day event organized by Beijing Planetarium, the Amateur Astronomer Magazine, and EA-ROAD
Public talk on “Extraterrestrial Civilizations” at Fuxian Lake Solar Observatory, Chengjiang county, China
Cooperation established with the IAU working group “Data-driven Astronomy Education and Public Outreach” and the Education Interest Group of IVOA (Internationational Virtual Observatory)
Preparations are ongoing for the 100th Anniversary of Eddington@Sundy
Teacher trainings in Porto Alegre, Pelotas, São Paulo
IDiverSE – New proposal approved that will allow the development of research collaboration between Islands in: Brazil, Cape Verde, Portugal, Mozambique and many other islands across the world
NARIT-STFC Summer School in Radio Astronomy and Technology
Goal: To develop necessary skills in radio astronomy for Thai university students and undertake further postgraduate study
29 May – 10 June 2017, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Participants: 30 Thai university students in related fields
Optical Design Summer School 2017
Goal: To initiate to the optical design methods related to imaging instruments
30 July – 6 August 2017, Lotus Pangsuankaew Hotel and NARIT headquarters, Chiang Mai, Thailand Participants: 25 university students/ researchers/ teachers in related fields from ASEAN countries
ITCA Colloquium (ITCA: International Training Centre under the Auspices of UNESCO) – Astronomy for STEM Education 2017
Goal: To be a stage for astronomy and science teachers/educators to voice their views on STEM Education especially best practices in different countries from different regions of the world
7 – 11 August 2017, PULLMAN BANGKOK HOTEL G, Bangkok and Regional observatory for the public Chachoengsao, Thailand
Participants: 100 science teachers/ educators/ communicators in all levels from any countries
Agreement Signing Ceremony on the establishment of International Training Centre in Astronomy under the auspices of UNESCO between UNESCO and Royal Thai Government
29 August 2017, 14.30 – 15.00, Santi Maitree Building, Government House, Bangkok, Thailand
Guests: 30 honored guests which include UNESCO Director-General, Minister of Science and Technology, Thailand, Minister of Education, Thailand, UNESCO Bangkok Representative
A UNESCO regional conference on the “Astronomical Heritage of the Middle East” to be held on 13-17 Nov 2017 in Yerevan, Armenia. Symposium is organized in the frame of AAC project (Archaeoastronomy and Astronomy in Culture)
Areg Mickaelian participated in the International Symposium on UV Sky Surveys held in Tel Aviv, Israel
President of Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, visited Byurakan Observatory; discussion of BAO’s scientific affairs and other matters
4th Byurakan Science Camp (4BSC) for 12-15 year old school pupils held in August 2017
Artists exhibition called “CETI lab” was organized in Byurakan; artists installation related to the subject of CETI
2017 AstroLab worshop, 6th November to 11th November 2017 at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. It will be followed by a GTTP training from 13-17 November 2017. Please visit the SAROAD website for upcoming updates
Dark Skies Awareness 2017: Astronomy outreach held at Regnat Secondary School Nsukka, Nigeria on Dark Skies Awareness which is one of 11 Global Cornerstone Projects during the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). https://sites.google.com/view/astro-outreach-nsukka-jun-july/home
Ghana’s first radio astronomy observatory launched by President of Ghana on Thursday, 24th of August 2017 in an effort to widen knowledge of African skies, catalyze skills development, and attract scientists. A 32-meter wide (104-foot) radio telescope, converted from an old telecommunications dish, forms the heart of the observatory
An intensive 1-week python computing workshop to be organized by NASRDA-Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS), Nsukka in November, 2017 ‘Python – The present and the future of computing in science, astrophysics, and big data systems’.
7th National conference of the Astronomical society of Nigeria to be held from 28th November to 1st December 2017 with the theme ‘Astronomy and Space science development in Nigeria’.
