Augusto Damineli Brazilian SPoC

Population: 190 million IAU2009 GA: Rio de Janeiro

~300 Researchers 35% Women Modern phase of Astronomy started in 1972 Grouth rate: 15% per year Brazilian Astronomical Society: main coordinator

4 Areas (coordinators): Research Schools Science centers Amateurs

Research: 1. 1.To develop a strategic plan for the Brazilian Astronomy: observational and computational facilities, professional training, science education and diffusion 2. 2.Talks on recent large impact developments in Astronomy: Physicists and students, educated public 3. 3.Talks on broad view Astronomical subjects, History and key problems: general public

Schools 1. 1.To improve the communication with teachers in public schools - Brazilian Astronomy Olimpiad (this year X th OBA – 4,891 schools, 36,487 teachers, 345,657 students) 2. 2.To distribute experimental kitts to be used for kids in public schools (no Internet access in public schools) One laptop per kid (OLP) program => good opportunity 3. 3.To bring the International Olimpiad of Astronomy to Brazil in 2009

Science diffusion 1. 1.To develop & distribute Astronomy programs for planetariums and science centers, specially the movie on the History of the Telescope (Plan. Soc.) 2. 2.Talks on the LA Indian Astronomy in all planetariums/science centres (the dark constellations => the impressive Milky Way in S. Hem.) 3. 3.Mega show with popular songs inspired in Astronomical themes – Rio IAU2009 GA

Amateurs 1. 1.Manpower: main source of people trained at a fundamental level for observations 2. 2.Connecting Brazilian amateurs in a network (presently 70 Nodes, expected >100) 3. 3.To put 1,000,000 people looking through a telescope in To increase the number of (small) public observatories and trained amateurs