CAP 2007: Conclusions Catherine Cesarsky ESO

Very well attended meeting. (Special thanks to Minella Alarcon for bringing UNESCO to our meeting) Wide representation from all over the world. Palpable enthusiasm everywhere: a highly motivated attendance. Strong wish to exchange and share Successful outreach programmes on astronomy at all levels Wish to meet again next year (CAP October 2008 South Africa tbc)

The path to IYA 2009 At this meeting: we could verify that the original concept: establish guidelines for A few global events Independent national/regional activities and events Activities fostered or organized by Institutions or large projects (NASA, ESO, ALMA…) IAU and UNESCO for coordination appears to work

At this meeting, many new ideas to digest and bring to fruition: Fruitful exchange of ideas for events at the December 31 st /January1 st level (Don’t forget link: astronomy-time keeping) Opening event at UNESCO, Paris: targeted at January 19 to 21 “24 hours of astronomy” becomes “4 days of astronomy” (Thursday to Sunday, early April)

General emphasis About history, culture, and present scientific revolution Make clear this is not only about optical astronomy, but about multiwavelength, ground and space astronomy, and high energy particles

Art: Foster presentations of “Life of Galileo”, etc Concerts, astronomy related music (planets, Herschel, Jupiter symphony, etc) Movies (Huge use could be made of the beautiful planet series of Jose Francisco Salgado) Expose astronomy related paintings (e. g. Van Gogh) with astronomical paintings.); also other art forms (e.g. batiks) Asteroids (TBD by IAU Executive): Use naming of asteroids as prize for popular contests related to astronomy Name an asteroid “Galileo” on Galileo’s birthday

Astrology: Make clear the distinction in an obvious way in our web site Cartoons: Some have been done or are in preparation. Exchanges? Comet: A periodic comet is expected! Capitalize on it (at least where it can be seen) Children’s books (e.g. Cecilia Scorza’s)

Developing countries: IYA should give a boost to nascent astronomy in some developing countries (additional cornerstone needed) Galilean moons: A community astronomical project Galileoscope: Yes, but also foster gift of bigger telescopes to schools, or to libraries for loans Indigenous populations: Special projects

Pollution, dark skies protection: Don’t forget radio astronomy! In picture exhibits, always show pictures of light pollution also Solar eclipse: Try to capitalize on it (difficult in places where it cannot be seen) Sun: Don’t forget it! Supermarkets: Bring astronomy to supermarkets

Tourism: organize tours to astronomy historic/current locations Don’t forget the cultural links to your own country Weather report on television; Have astronomy news added

Thanks to: Local support for the sound, the light, and especially the projection! And thanks again to our hero, Manolis!!!!!