At the recent SAASTEC 2024 conference, OAD’s Dominic Vertue hosted an “Astronomy in Mental Health” workshop. This session served as a pilot to explore how astronomy-inspired activities, such as a cosmic journey using a roll of toilet paper, can open doors for broader reflections on mental health and well-being. By engaging participants in a tactile […]
Category Archives: Flagship 2
25
Nov
Nov
The Office of Astronomy for Development participated in the Under One Sky global conference organised by Dark Sky international. With more than 1000 registered participants, the conference covered a wide range of topics from wildlife ecologists discussing the impact of light pollution on marine environments to tourism experts in the Middle East emphasizing the economic […]
10
Oct
Oct
Recently, the Office of Astronomy for Development was featured twice on the Night Sky Tourist podcast, run by Vicky Derksen, a Dark Sky advocate dedicated to helping everyone discover the night sky in a whole new way. Joyful Mdhluli was interviewed for Episode 107- Mental Health & Stargazing where she shared the work being done […]
Closer to the sky: co-creating astronomical knowledge in the favela complex of Cantagalo Pavão Pavãozinho (PPG) in Rio de Janeiro, OAD Projects
OAD Project Calls for Support To Rebuild Library Destroyed by Fire
09
Sep
Sep
A fire destroyed the Ninho das Águias Community Library, located in the community of Pavão, in the neighbourhood of Copacabana (RJ) in Brazil. The library has carried out important actions, since 2011, for children and young people in the region, including hosting the Closer to the Sky project funded by the IAU OAD. The project […]
2024, Astronomy for mental health, astrotourism, Flagship 1
OAD at Communicating Astronomy with the Public Conference (CAP2024)
05
Jul
Jul
The OAD team participated in the 2024 Communicating Astronomy with the Public Conference (CAP2024), with four abstracts accepted. The submissions included one oral presentation, a 60-minute workshop, and two posters. Flagship Coordinator Dr. Joyful Mdhluli attended in person, while OAD Fellows Dominic Vertue and Samyukta Manikumar participated virtually. Dr. Joyful Mdhluli, on behalf of the […]
