Astronomy Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Astronomy Day | |
| Observed by | Astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts |
|---|---|
| Type | Scientific, Astronomical |
| Date | Saturday between mid-April and mid-May on or just before the first quarter moon |
| 2007 date | April 21 |
| 2008 date | May 10 |
| 2009 date | May 5 |
| Observances | astronomy-related events and competitions |
Astronomy Day is an annual event intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.
This event was started in 1973 by the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, Doug Berger. His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passers-by could enjoys views of the heavens. Since then the event has expanded and is now sponsored by a number of organizations associated with astronomy.
Astronomy Day occurs on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, and is scheduled so as to occur at or just before the first quarter Moon. This means that the event happens on a different date each year, rather than a set calendar date. The table below shows the dates for Astronomy day:
| Year | Astronomy Day |
First Quarter Moon |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | April 16th | April 16th |
| 2006 | May 6th | May 5th |
| 2007 | April 21st | April 24th |
| 2008 | May 10th | May 12th |
| 2009 | May 2nd | May 1st |
| 2010 | April 24th | April 21st |
Astronomy Day also forms part of Astronomy Week, which begins on the preceding Monday.
