Ram Venugopal, Author at IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/author/ramv/ Astronomy for a better world! Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:52:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.5 https://astro4dev.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-03_OAD_symbol_colour_2-32x32.jpg Ram Venugopal, Author at IAU Office of Astronomy for Development https://astro4dev.org/author/ramv/ 32 32 “A Night Under the Stars” in Karpenissi, Greece https://astro4dev.org/a-night-under-the-stars-in-karpenissi-greece/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:47:29 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31363 The OAD-supported “Starlight Bridges” project will organise A Night Under the Stars on August 17 in Profitis Ilias, Myriki – Karpenissi, Greece. The project “Community Astrotourism through the ARTEMIS Space Observatory” is turning the pristine night sky of Karpenisi (Bortle scale 3) into a driver for sustainable, locally led development. It targets the region of [...]

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]]> Transforming STEM Learning Through Astronomy in Kenya https://astro4dev.org/transforming-stem-learning-through-astronomy-in-kenya/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:14:04 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31346 source: MMUST The OAD funded project ‘Inspiring STEM Engagement through the Support of Astronomy Programs in Primary Schools in Kisumu County, Kenya,’ seeks to enhance science learning among learners from Grade One to Grade Six by leveraging astronomy as an innovative and engaging entry point into environmental science and integrated science. The project team organised [...]

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]]> IAU OAD Project in Tanzania Launches Astrotourism Tours https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-project-in-tanzania-launches-astrotourism-tours/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:28:01 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31282 Starry Safaris, an IAU OAD supported project in Tanzania, is using astronomy tourism to create additional income opportunities for economically-disadvantaged young men and women. They have established an astrotourism program at the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory (MMAO) in Arusha, Tanzania, and conducted the first astrotourism tour a few days ago. The team completed a three-day [...]

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]]> DARA Funds Five Astronomy-for-Development Projects in Africa https://astro4dev.org/dara-funds-five-astronomy-for-development-projects-in-africa/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:29:38 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31233 The IAU OAD is pleased to announce the funding of five new astronomy-for-development projects by Development in Africa through Radio Astronomy (DARA). The projects will be run by the 2026 DARA student teams in Namibia, Botswana, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Kenya. Projects will address urgent challenges within communities such as youth unemployment, gaps in [...]

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]]> Canadian Project Fosters Science Identity and STEAM Engagement Amongst Black Girls https://astro4dev.org/canadian-project-fosters-science-identity-and-steam-engagement-amongst-black-girls/ Wed, 06 May 2026 09:33:41 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31175 The Black Girls in Physics and Astronomy (BGPA) project aims to foster early science identity and STEAM engagement among participants. The project has completed a number of activities for youth leaders and participants, inspiring curiosity and creating a sense of identity and belonging in science spaces. ———– February 25, 2026: First session hosted by the [...]

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]]> IAU Calls for Innovative Astronomy Projects to Promote Sustainable Development https://astro4dev.org/iau-calls-for-innovative-astronomy-projects-to-promote-sustainable-development/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:37:24 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31153 The International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD), which has invested more than 1.5 Million Euros in development projects led by astronomy, is pleased to announce its 2026 call for proposals. Seed funding will be provided to proposals with high potential for making a positive societal impact using astronomy. Astronomy is a [...]

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]]> Science and Memory: Ana Teresa Diego, the Sky Also Remembers https://astro4dev.org/science-and-memory-ana-teresa-diego-the-sky-also-remembers/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:13:35 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31086 This blog post was written by Dr. Facundo Rodríguez, project lead of the IAU OAD funded Right to Sky project in Argentina Originally published at https://diciembre.org/ciencia-y-memoria-ana-teresa-diego-el-cielo-tambien-recuerda/ The sky, its interpretation and what is said about it tells us a lot about the people who observe it. And, even from a scientific perspective, it changes depending [...]

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]]> IAU OAD and RIIS Partner to Advance Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development Across Africa https://astro4dev.org/iau-oad-and-riis-partner-to-advance-innovation-entrepreneurship-and-sustainable-development-across-africa/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:07:42 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31007 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Cape Town, South Africa – 23 February 2026. The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a partnership of the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RIIS to establish a [...]

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]]> South Africa Based International Office Drives Sustainable Development through Astronomy https://astro4dev.org/south-africa-based-international-office-drives-sustainable-development-through-astronomy/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:17:44 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=31004 Source: National Research Foundation For immediate release20 February 2026 The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a partnership of the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), is delighted to announce that 10 African projects have been selected to receive funding to advance [...]

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]]> IAU Offers Grants to Drive Sustainable Development through Astronomy https://astro4dev.org/iau-offers-grants-to-drive-sustainable-development-through-astronomy/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:17:26 +0000 https://astro4dev.org/?p=30964 source: IAU The International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has concluded its 14th annual call for proposals, and 18 projects will receive funding in 2026 to use astronomy to further sustainable development. The OAD is pleased to announce that 18 new projects around the world will receive grants to promote sustainable [...]

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