The International Year of Light is a global initiative that will highlight to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society. It is a unique opportunity to inspire, educate, and connect on a global scale.
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• Astronomy Throughout Time and Space |
• Youth Activities (K-12) |
• Research: Science, History, Culture, Arts |
• Tribute to Observers |
• Independent Participation in IYL |
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CONTEST WINNERS!
Cosmic light: from the solar system to our favorite stars
Description:
We invite submissions (focusing on light from the night sky or the sun) in the following three categories:
• Observations and related research
• Essays (up to 1000 words)
• Arts (music, sculpture, drawing/painting, etc.)
How we will use these submissions: All submissions will be posted on the AAVSO website. The top three submissions in each category (in each age range) will be announced at the 2015 AAVSO Annual Meeting which will be held in Woburn, Massachusetts in November. Local youth are invited to present their work in person at the meeting. Submissions will be grouped into the following age ranges: Kindergarten - 2nd grade, 3rd grade - 5th grade, 6th grade - 8th grade, and 9th grade - 12th grade. (Or equivalent ages.)
How to send us your submission: Please email submissions to IYL@aavso.org or mail them to AAVSO IYL, 49 Bay State Rd, Cambridge MA, 02138 USA. (Please note that submissions sent by postal mail may not be returned.) Include your name, the phrase "AAVSO IYL Youth Activity Submission," and your current grade level in the body of the email. (If between grades, please include grade most recently completed.) If you don't have a US grade level, include your age, and we will be sure to group you with others your age.
Deadline: October 15th
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Privacy Notice
Under the United States federal law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires that we gain verifiable consent for all children under the age of thirteen. All participants (US and international) under the age of 13 must have a parent/guardian fill out the consent form in order to participate in the contest. Click here for more information and a copy of the form.
Collecting photons: instruments and observing experiences from around the world.
Description: We invite observers to submit one photo (you with your telescope, binoculars, finder chart, etc.) along with a short (up to 300 words) testimonial on what motivates you to observe the night sky.
How we will use these submissions: All submissions will be posted on the AAVSO website. We will also create a display of submissions to share at the next AAVSO Meeting.
How to send us your submission: Please email submissions to IYL@aavso.org. Include your name and the phrase "AAVSO IYL: Tribute to Observers" in the subject or body of the email.
Deadline: Submissions will be accepted throughout 2015.
Astronomy Throughout Time and Space
Description: We invite submissions of short stories about our favorite astronomical objects (Mira, Algol, Sirius, a particular comet, etc.) observed in different cultures throughout time. These stories can be written (up to 1000 words) or in the form of a self-posted YouTube video (up to 10 minutes).
How we will use these submissions: All submissions will be posted on or linked to from the AAVSO website.
How to send us your submission: Please email written stories or links to YouTube videos to IYL@aavso.org. Include your name and the phrase "AAVSO IYL: Astronomy Throughout Time and Space" in the subject or body of the email.
Deadlines: Submissions will be accepted throughout 2015.
Research: Science, History, Culture, Arts
Description: Papers, posters, and reports on ongoing variable star projects. These projects may be scientific studies, or historical and cultural investigations, or creative work in writing, poetry, and the fine arts.
How we will use these submissions: Submissions can be posted on the AAVSO website, presented as posters/talks at the AAVSO meetings, or submitted to the Journal of the AAVSO.
How to send us your submission:
- For posting on the AAVSO website: Please email submissions (limit 1000 words) to IYL@aavso.org or mail them to AAVSO IYL, 49 Bay State Rd, Cambridge MA, 02138 USA. (Please note that submissions sent by postal mail may not be returned.) Include your name and the phrase "AAVSO IYL: Research" in the subject or body of the email.
- To present as a poster/talk at an AAVSO Meeting: Register for the meeting and submit via the abstract submission form.
- To submit to the Journal of the AAVSO (JAAVSO): Click here for instructions. Be sure to ask about IYL 2015 page charge discounts when submitting.
Deadlines: Submissions will be accepted throughout 2015.
AAVSO Members'/Observers'/Friends' Independent Participation in IYL Activities
• Dr. Mario Motta, longtime AAVSO member and past AAVSO Council Member/President, participated in an International Dark-Sky Association IYL online hangout focused on the topic of Light and Health.
• Linda Lamon shared with us a song that she wrote for IYL titled, Rainbow of Light. Here is a link to a youtube video featuring vocalist, Katherina Mina.
• Costantino Sigismondi (SGQ) submitted a paper for publication, Observational Accuracy of Variable Stars, Novae and Supernovae from Naked Eye to General Relativistic Standard: a Balance over Thousand SGQ Observations Sent to AAVSO for the occasion of the International Year of Light.
• Dr. Al Grauer, an observing member of the Catalina Sky Survey Team at the University of Arizona, created a wonderful introductory podcast about the AAVSO called Know a Star as part of the travelersinthenight.org series.
• Dr. Suleiman M Baraka, sends us some fantastic astro-photos from the West Bank in Palestine.
Let us know how you've already participated in IYL!
International Year of Light 2015
Note: Submissions will be filtered based on appropriateness (clean language, respectful content, etc.) before they are posted on the AAVSO website.