"Scientific Stimulation From The Stars"

Judith H. Dobrzynski has an article on UNESCO's Year of Astronomy in Forbes magazine. She writes:

the U.S. rejoined UNESCO in 2002 after the agency implemented reforms. UNESCO has changed; many of its programs can now be applauded. And this year, there's one that's fun, enlightening and universally engaging. It's one you may even want to participate in.

To mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first discoveries in the heavens, UNESCO has proclaimed 2009 to be the International Year of Astronomy (with the required approval of the U.N. General Assembly). The point is to spread scientific knowledge about the skies and the universe, encourage research in astronomy and raise awareness, as the proclamation declared, "of the importance of astronomy to social development through the establishment of links between scientific research networks and the cultural perception of the universe."

Read the full article

Check out the UNESCO Year of Astronomy Site

Check out the Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative