National Astronomy Week

National Astronomy Week (NAW) is an event held every few years in the United Kingdom to promote public awareness of astronomy by celebrating notable astronomical events. The last NAW, Mars Encounter, was run during the week of 14–22 November 2020.[1]

National Astronomy Week (NAW)
StatusActive
GenreAstronomy-related events and competitions
FrequencyAs per notable events;
Duration: 1 Week
CountryUnited Kingdom
Years active39
Inaugurated1981 (1981)
Previous event2020
Next eventNot yet planned
ParticipantsObserved by Astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts
Websiteastronomyweek.org.uk

Activities

During the week, astronomy societies, planetaria, schools, universities and other organisations from all over the UK organise events to promote interest in, and knowledge of, astronomy. The organisers promote the week using extensive contacts with the media and all the major UK astronomical organisations, many of whom provide funding. Events range from talks, visits and in particular the opportunity for children and adults alike to observe the sky through a range of equipment. Increasing use is being made of "virtual" events with talks and observations being streamed.

History

The need for National Astronomy Week (NAW) was first defined in the late 1970s. A group of both professional and amateur astronomers as well as teachers and educators was formed to define and run the first ever event. NAW was proposed in 1979 and a steering committee was set up in 1980. Since then a total of eight events have run as listed below.

Timeline of NAW events
Sr. Year Notes Reference
1 1981 To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Uranus.
2 1985 Return of Halley’s Comet.
3 1990 To commemorate the centenary of the British Astronomical Association.
4 1996 To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Neptune.
5 2003 To coincide with arguable the closest approach of Mars for 60,000 years.
6 2009 To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Thomas Harriot's reputed first use of the telescope for astronomical purposes.
It ran during the International Year of Astronomy in 2009 as a major event organised by the steering committee at Syon House		 [2]
7 2014 To celebrate Jupiter attaining its highest possible point in the northern-hemisphere night skies for 12 years. [3]
8 2020 To celebrate the close approach of Mars - the closest until 2035. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this had to be run as a "virtual" week. [1]

2020

The eighth event, named "Mars Encounter", ran from 14 to 22 November 2020. Mars made a very close approach to Earth, and will not be as close again until 2035. Saturn and Jupiter were in an excellent position as they approached the Great Conjunction which took place the following month. Initially the week was planned to be a conventional series of viewing sessions and talks across the UK. But the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic meant that conventional events could not be run, so instead the week was run "virtually" and involved streaming live events and observation sessions direct to homes. Most of the talks and observation sessions were run by the National Astronomy Week organising team, and these events were all recorded and can still be viewed. An index to the recordings can be found on the NAW website [1] or they can be viewed via the NAW YouTube Channel.[4] The NAW Team Events can be seen by clicking NAW Events in the menu; talks and events run by other societies and science centres are under "Events". In the event the week was not a good one for observing, with cloud for much of the week. Fortunately, the use of streaming meant observations could take place from wherever had clear skies, for example Northumberland and Cyprus.

2014

The seventh event, named "Target Jupiter", ran from 1–8 March 2014. Jupiter was at a very high position in the sky, the best that will be achieved for many years. Observing conditions were generally well above average. More than 200 events were run across the UK. Participating organisations included astronomy societies, schools, universities, and Scouts/Guides. The details of the 2014 NAW are still available on the National Astronomy Week website. [3] The event was widely announced in the UK, for example in Astronomy & Geophysics magazine,[5] and there is also information on the NAW Twitter page[6] and on Facebook.[7] A special event radio station, call sign GB1NAW, transmitted from Lockyer Technology Centre during National Astronomy Week (and the week preceding), between 7.060 MHz and 7.200 MHz LSB (Lower Side Band) during daylight hours and between 3.600 MHz and 3.800 MHz LSB after dusk.

Sponsorship and funding

National Astronomy Week is sponsored (and funded) by a number of UK astronomy societies and actively supported by the Royal Astronomical Society. Other funds are sometimes obtained from science organisations in the UK, including the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

See also

References
  1. "National Astronomy Week 2020 - Mars Encounter". astronomyweek.org.uk. National Astronomy Week. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. "Telescope400 - celebrating Thomas Harriot's first ever use of the Telescope in Astronomy". telescope400.org.uk. National Astronomy Week. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. "National Astronomy Week 2014". jupiter2014.astronomyweek.org.uk. NAW. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. "National Astronomy Week You Tube Channel". National Astronomy Week. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. "Target Jupiter: National Astronomy Week 2014". Astronomy & Geophysics. astrogeo.oxfordjournals. 54 (2): 2. 2013. doi:10.1093/astrogeo/att006.
  6. NAW on Twitter
  7. NAW on Facebook
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