Astronomy Day is a people’s movement designed with the aim of drawing the public’s attention to astronomy and sharing the joy of watching the sky with them. On Astronomy Day, thousands of people who have never looked at the sky with a telescope experience this exciting feeling for the first time.
Astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, observatories, and libraries host events to introduce people to astronomy and space, as well as local activities, equipment, and facilities to address this interest. Many of these events are held in non-astrological locations such as shopping malls, parks and city centers to bring astronomy to the community. Astronomy Day is a promotional event that helps the general public become familiar with ways of dealing with astronomy or at least find answers to their questions about the cosmos.
The idea of holding Astronomy Day was first proposed in 1973 by Douglas Berger, then president of the Astronomical Society of Northern California. He suggested that instead of forcing people to travel a long way to participate in their observatory’s public programs, members of the community should set up their telescopes where people are, such as high-traffic urban areas, shopping malls, parks, etc. The remarkable success of this project caused the expansion and globalization of this day.
Astronomy Day is held every year on the closest weekend to the first quarter of the month (the seventh night of the month) between April 15 (April 26) and May 15 (May 25). Astronomy Week is also held from Monday before to Sunday of the following week to provide more opportunity to implement science promotion programs.
Astronomical day 1402 in Iran
Astronomy Day this year will be Friday, May 8. Iranian Astronomical Society Shaar “Astronomy of Iran, horizon of one thousand four hundred and twelve” has suggested for this year. The purpose of this naming is to draw the attention of astronomy enthusiasts to the total solar eclipse of 1412 solar year and the opportunities that this event creates to spread knowledge among people.
Astronomy week programs have started on Monday, May 4 and will continue until Sunday, May 10.
Astronomy enthusiasts in the form of astronomy societies, astronomy institutes and observatories will hold various programs this week.
What you read below does not include all the events of Astronomy Day this year; Some institutions and associations have published their programs separately on social networks, and centers such as centers for the intellectual development of children and teenagers, observatories and universities in different cities are also holding programs this week, which we could not find a way to communicate about these programs. But you can also visit these centers during Astronomy Week.
In the following, we introduce the programs that we have received.
East Azarbaijan
Ayaz Tabriz Astronomical Society
This year, on the occasion of World Astronomy Week, Ayaz Association will host Tabrizi enthusiasts from 18:00 to 21:00 on Wednesday, May 6, at Shams Tabrizi Cultural Center, at the address of Imam St., Qonqa Square, in front of Shefa Hospital, on the west side of Golestan Garden (Fajr).
In the continuation of Astronomy Week, other programs have been prepared, which will be announced later.
Abu Rihan Astronomical Society of Tabriz
On the occasion of the Astronomy Week, this association organizes a program to observe the moon and planets with a telescope along with teaching constellations for the general public. Lovers of the night sky can participate in this program on Thursday, May 7, from 20:00 to 24:00, by being present at the Great Valiasr flat in Tabriz.
Ardabil Astronomical Society
Astronomical groups in Ardabil have prepared various programs during the World Astronomy Week. The public observation program, Friday, May 8, from 19:00 to 21:00 on the Ali Qapo (Esferis) footpath is one of these programs.
Adib Astronomy Center
This year, the Astronomy Day programs of this center will be performed at the same time as Isfahan Cultural Week, with the slogan “Isfahan in the color of astronomy”, on May 7th from 17:00 to 21:00 at Saadi Pass and Saadi Mansion.
Among these programs are sky observation and meteorite exhibition.
Aseman Sarai Soha Isfahan
The Soha Observatory, which had a busy year last year hosted by Marten Messieh, is holding Astronomy Day 1402 at the Saeb Research Center in Isfahan.
Night sky lovers in Isfahan can use Aseman Sarai Soha programs from 18:00 to 21:00 on Friday, May 8.
Avastar Astronomy Center
Avastar Astronomy Center will hold the World Astronomy Day event at Masoudiyeh Mansion in Tehran, and on Friday, May 8, 1402, from 14:00 to 20:00, it will host those interested in the world of astronomy and the night sky.
In this event, those interested can visit stations to learn about the scale of the universe, constellations, space technologies, sky observation, etc.
Mashhad Astronomical Society
On Thursday and Friday, from 16:00 to 22:00, the members of this association will organize public astronomy day programs for those interested in Bahman Targaba Park, next to Pune Garden.
Astronomy Center of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
The Astronomy Center of this university will hold a sky observation program for the general public on Sunday, May 10, at the University Science Square (Sardis Ferdowsi). Mashhad residents can use this program from 18:00 to 20:00.
Neyshabur Astronomical Society
Citizens of Nishaburi can visit the conference hall of the University of Arts of this city on Astronomy Day (May 8) from 16:00 to 19:00, use the lectures of the experts of this association and also observe the sky.
Bojnoord Haft Asman Astronomy Association
The members of this association will host astronomy enthusiasts on Friday, May 8, from 19:00 to 23:00 at the Central Intellectual Development Center of Bojnord, at Khorramshahr Square, Valiasr Street. If the weather conditions are unfavorable, a meeting will be held with the aim of promoting astronomy.
Semnan Science and Astronomy Center
On the occasion of World Astronomy Week, Semnan Science and Astronomy Center in cooperation with Aseman Kavir Astronomy Association, Thursday, May 7th from 19:30 to 21:30 in the building of Semnan Science and Astronomy Center (Gita Dome) at the address of Imam Hossein (AS) Square. The side of Shahid Daryadar Square, next to the court of justice of Semnan province, organizes a public observation program with the explanation of astronomy instructors.
Another public observation program will be held on Friday, May 8, from 19:00 to 21:00 at the address of Jihadiyeh Square, towards Sharif Waqfi Blvd., after Anar Square, 34 Jihadiyeh St., 34 Jihadiyeh Residential Town.
Sistan and Baluchestan
Khayyam Zahedan Astronomical Society
The members of this association are waiting for astronomy enthusiasts on Friday, May 8, from 17:00 to 20:00 at the Zahedan family garden located on Moalem Blvd. Telescopic observation of the sky, familiarization with celebrities, various booths for children, familiarization with the constellations under the umbrella of the sky, and showing videos and photos are among the programs of Anjuman Khayyam for this day.
Astronomical Society of Bam
On the occasion of World Astronomy Week, Bam Astronomical Society will hold a public observation program on Saturday, May 9, from 19:00 to 21:00 in 22 Bahman Park of this city.
Saqib Astronomy Society
The Saqib Gilan Association welcomes Astronomy Day on Friday, May 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Rasht’s Mellat Garden, by setting up educational workshops, exhibitions, and, if the sky is clear, observing the sky with astronomical instruments.
Also, this association will hold a public observation program on Thursday, May 7th at Bostan Mellat and on Saturday, May 9th at the Cultural Walkway of Rasht Municipality from 19:00 to 21:00.
Luna Astronomy Center
On the occasion of Astronomy Week, this center will hold a public observation program on May 8 from 20:00 to 22:00 at the main entrance of Sari Nations Park. From May 9 to 11, astronomy education, question and answer sessions, and an exhibition of astronomical products will be held next to the parking lot of Bostan Velayat in this city.
