IYA2009 Opening Ceremony Concluded

The International Astronomical Union launched 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) under the theme, The Universe, yours to discovers.IYA2009 marks the 400^th anniversary of the first astronomical observation through a telescope by Galileo Galilei. During the opening sessions, ministers from Japan and Australia greeted for the greater success of IYA 2009 through out the globe.

Around 800 participants from all around the world were there to witness the Official Opening Ceremony of IYA 2009 by IAU at Paris. There were world renowned Scientists with their talks during the event to encourage the young people to the astronomy.

On the first day of the event there was reception at the Palais de Decouverte in the evening. An eye catching video clip of “Around the world, around the sky” by Robert Panasrd-Besson of France and a film of the Adler Planetarium presented by Jose’-Francisco Salgado (USA) with the music “The Planets” by G. Holst were showed during the reception till 9:30 p.m.

On the second day, there was live video conference with the astronomers in the European Very Large Telescope in Paranal, Chile. Also, there was virtual visit of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and Image session using one of the 8 meter telescopes.

In the evening there was cultural event which was entitled “Sun Rings” performed by the Kronos Quartet with the participation of the UNESCO Choir.

On Saturday, January 18,2009 participants visited the Paris Observatory.

There were three participants from Nepal; Bharat Aryal, Principal and Bebika Phuyal, student of class 9 of Takshashila Academy, Bishalnagar, Kathmandu and Suresh Bhattarai of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), Kathmandu, Nepal.