Welcome to IYA2009 - Sri Lanka !
With the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) we celebrate a momentous event, the first astronomical use of a telescope by Galileo — an invention that initiated 400 years of astonishing astronomical discoveries. This event triggered a scientific revolution which has profoundly affected our worldview. Now telescopes on the ground and in space explore the Universe, 24 hours a day, across all wavelengths of light.
2009 is also the anniversary of many other important dates in the history of science, such as the Kepler’s publication of Astronomia Nova. 2009 is also the anniversary of many other historic events in science, including Huygen’s 1659 publication of Systema Saturnium. This will be modern astronomy’s quadricentennial, and the 2009 Year of Astronomy will be an international celebration of numerous astronomical and scientific milestones.
The IYA2009 is a global collaboration for a peaceful purpose – the search for our cosmic origin, a common heritage that connects every citizen of planet Earth. The science of astronomy represents millennia of collaborations across all boundaries: geographic, gender, age, culture and race, providing a full consistency to the UN Charter principles. In that sense, astronomy is a classic example of how science can contribute towards a deepening international cooperation and collaboration.
For this celebration astronomers around the world will be inviting people like you, and your friends and family, to look up in wonder at the night sky, and to seek out answers to some of life's biggest questions.
This website will provide everything you need to know about what is happening in the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in the Sri Lanka, making the Universe yours to discover!
Upcoming Events
January
Partial Solar Eclipse
2009 January 26 - 2:03 PM to 4:12 PM in Colombo
Local Circumstances for the Partial Solar Eclipse
of 2009 January 26 in Sri Lanka
Eclipse Max. Eclipse Sun Sun Eclip. Eclip. Annular
Location Begins Eclipse Ends Alt Azm Mag. Obs. Duration
UT h m h m h m °
Colombo 08:33 09:42 10:42 41 238 0.285 0.171
Local 14:03 15:12 16:12
Time+5:30
MORE INFO
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHtables/OH2009-Tab02.pdf
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2009.html#2009Jan26A
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsaros/SEsaros131.html
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHtables/OH2009-Tab02.pdf
Observation events:
*Kurunegala - Colombo Planetarium
*Mt. Lavinia Beach - Astronomy & Space Study Center/ Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
For more info please contact the secretary.