News & Articles - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development

Featured articles on Astro4Dev

The potential of astronomy for socioeconomic... - Nature Astronomy

Since 2013, the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development has been funding and nurturing astronomy-for-development projects across the globe. In Africa, these projects aim to use astronomy to stimulate educational, technological and socioeconomic development.

Why Africa’s largest-ever telescope and astronomy matter for the continent’s future

We need to ensure the growth of astronomy in Africa is accompanied by education, technology transfer and societal engagement initiatives.

COVID-19 budget pressures threaten curiosity-driven science. That’s a bad thing

The pandemic has underscored that the world requires agility for survival. That makes blue skies science, which encourages curiosity and nimble thinking, perhaps more important than ever.

Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal

Issue 27 - March 2020: A special edition of the CAP Journal on Astronomy for Development.

We bring you the first-ever special edition of the Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal on ‘’Astronomy for Development’’. For this 27th issue, the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) collaborated with the CAPjournal to explore the contributions of astronomy outreach and communication to sustainable development.

The Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers - Nature Astronomy

The Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers (PASEA) is an innovative short course for African university students, held by an African-led international collaboration. PASEA aims to build a critical mass of astronomers in Africa and exchange ideas about teaching across continents.

Astronomy for development

Hannah Dalgleish examines ways in which astronomy can help to forge a sustainable future for life on Earth

Under the same sky with Amanar - Nature Astronomy

The support of the international astronomical community to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is fundamental to advance the rights and needs of the most vulnerable groups of our global society. Among these groups are the refugees.

Astronomy for development in Portuguese-speaking countries - Nature Astronomy

The PLOAD — Portuguese Language Office of Astronomy for Development — was established in 2015 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the goal of promoting astronomy as a tool for sustainable development in Portuguese-speaking countries.

A big moment for Africa: why the MeerKAT -- and astronomy -- matter

Astronomy in Africa took a giant leap forward with the unveiling of the 64-dish MeerKAT array in South Africa on July 13. The MeerKAT will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere until the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is completed.

OAD in the Media

NA-ROAD announces 2024 cohort of 10 women and girls in astronomy for development projects

The North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (NA-ROAD) is pleased to announce the selection of 10 astronomy for development projects as part of the 2024 cohort. These projects will receive funding as part of the Women and Girls in Astronomy Program (WGAP). This is the second year that NA-ROAD has offered funding for WGAP projects thanks to generous funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation.

Celebrating MeerKAT’s boundless scope for discovery

As South Africa’s greatest astronomical project comes of age, researchers mark its achievements

Global astronomers land in Cape Town, giving SA space to show just what it’s capable of | Business

For the first time in its 105-year history, the International Astronomers Union general assembly is being held on the African continent, taking place in the vibrant city of Cape Town.

Linda Strubbe receives Astronomy Education Prize from International Astronomical Union

Linda Strubbe, a former post-doctoral fellow in the Canadian Institute of Theoretical Physics (CITA) at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science, has received an Astronomy Education Prize from the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The award honours scientists, science communicators and educators who have made outstanding contributions to astronomy education, outreach or development.

South Africa Hosts Africa’s First IAU General Assembly - Space in Africa

For the first time in over 100 years, the IAU General Assembly, finally happened on the African continent.

Dr. Vanessa McBride, South African astronomer, announced as the International Science Council’s new Science Director - International Science Council

Dr. Vanessa McBride has been appointed as the new Science Director at the International Science Council (ISC), bringing over 15 years of international scientific expertise. In her role, she will lead the Science Division, overseeing scientific priorities, project management, collaborations, and stra…

Is Star Bathing the Next Big Wellness Travel Trend?

Star bathing—also known as mindful stargazing—centers on appreciating and tuning into your surroundings, without technology.

IAU OAD Partner Wins UN Climate Action Award

Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), a partner of the IAU’s Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), has been announced as a winner of the 2020 United Nations Global Climate Action Awards. Based in India, GHE is one of the world’s first organisations to combine the power of tourism with technology.

Astro-Tourism is the Next Big Travel Trend

India’s Ministry of Tourism looks up to the stars to showcase the latest form of nature-based travel. A webinar was held on ‘Astro-Tourism: The Next Frontier of Nature-based Tourism’. It was organised by the Ministry of Tourism as part of the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ webinar series.

As the world changes, science does too -- and that’s a good thing

‘Science 4.0’ is real. It is about a revolution in which science is an integral part of society, rather than being confined to public or private laboratories and institutions of higher learning. It is about recognising that scientists are people, subjective and opinionated.

Armenia boosts development of astro-tourism in the region

Being the pioneer of scientific (and astronomical) tourism,the Victor Ambartsumian Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) of teh Armenian National Academy of Sciences has initiated the creation of an astronomical tourism webpage for the region.

Europe to foster social-economical impact of astronomy

The European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (E-ROAD) has held its first conference session at the 2020 virtual Annual Meeting of the European Astronomical Society.

How COVID-19 Is Changing Big Astronomy

Astronomers try to salvage conference meetings and observational astronomy in the midst of this global pandemic.

Science For Development Workshop Kicks Off Today At SAAO in Cape Town. - Space in Africa

Stakeholders and experts in Science and Technology from Africa and the around the world have gathered at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town for an interdisciplinary workshop on “Science for Development” jointly hosted by the International Science Council’s (ISC) Regional Office for Africa.

NASRDA, Toronto varsity, others train 60 Nigeria students in Astronomy, space tech

A two week international West African Summer School for Young Astronomers (WAISSYA)2019, organised to train West African Universities students in the area of Astronomy and Space Technology Applications.

Astronomer to get SA’s first Edinburgh Medal

Kevin Govender will be jointly awarded the Edinburgh Medal for the creation and practical establishment of the Office of Astronomy for Development.

NASRDA Makes Astronomy History | The Guardian Nigeria News

A VISITING top-level official of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has termed Nigeria’s formal designation, as the world regulatory body’s West African headquarters, “a turning point” in the evolution of African astronomy.