Stargazers to celebrate Galileo's invention of the telescope

Galileo’s invention of the astronomical telescope four centuries ago will be celebrated by stargazers all over the world next year.

A total of 135 countries are holding events to mark the International Year of Astronomy, 400 years after the Italian scientist first began observing the Moon and planets.

Galileo Galilei made his prototype telescope in 1609, modelled on instruments produced in other parts of Europe that could magnify objects three times.

His improved telescope had a magnification of 20 times, allowing him to discover sunspots and the four moons of Jupiter.

Galileo was also the first to observe a supernova, or exploding star, and plot the phases of Venus.

Using his telescope, he was able to prove that the Earth and other planets orbit the Sun.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) was organised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) under the banner “The Universe is Yours to Discover”.

Paris will be the venue for the official IYA2009 opening ceremony on January 15 and 16.

The UK holds its own launch ceremony at the Greenwich Royal Observatory in London on February 18.

Britain’s Society of Popular Astronomy has organised the donation of 1,000 good quality telescopes to secondary schools, with funding from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS).

Among the IYA2009 highlights will be a multinational project called From Earth To The Universe (Fettu) that will exhibit large-scale astronomical images in venues such as parks and gardens, art museums, shopping malls and underground stations.

The UK is among more than 30 countries planning Fettu displays, which will range in size from 25 to more than 100 images of stars, galaxies and planets.

Another project, 100 Hours of Astronomy, is a worldwide event taking place from April 2 to 5 and featuring organised observations as well as live webcasts. One of its key goals is to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to look through an astronomical telescope.

An important aim of IYA2009 is to raise awareness of man-made light pollution, which experts say is robbing the night sky of its splendour.

The Dark Skies Awareness project will encourage members of the public to count how many stars are visible where they live.

A number of exciting astronomical events are expected in 2009, including the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. This will occur on July 22 and last six minutes and 39 seconds over a narrow corridor of Asia passing through India, Bangladesh and China.

A strong Leonid meteor shower is also forecast for mid-November, 2009, when it might be possible to see more than 500 shooting stars an hour.

Jupiter promises to put on an impressive show at dusk in October, providing good opportunities to view the giant planet and its moons.

IAU president Catherine Cesarsky said: “A hundred and thirty five countries have committed themselves to the Year, all pulling together toward the common aim of making astronomy accessible to the public.

“IYA2009 will reinforce the links between science education and science careers, stimulating a long-term increase in student enrolment in the fields of science and technology and an appreciation for lifelong learning.”

The UK’s IYA2009 is supported by the Royal Astronomical Society, the Institute of Physics and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.