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.
Press Releases
13 January 2023
Results of the 2022 Annual Call for Proposals
19 January 2021
Results of the 2020 Annual Call for Proposals
19 August 2020
Ethiopia renews agreement with IAU to continue hosting IAU Regional office
03 August 2020
Astronomy-related Projects Support Global Communities Affected by COVID-19
17 July 2020
Armenia Will Continue To Host The IAU Regional Office
29 January 2020
North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development Launched
14 January 2020
Results of 2019 OAD Annual Call for Proposals
27 December 2018
Results of 2018 OAD Annual Call for Proposals
30 August 2018
The General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union to be hosted on African soil for the first time in 2024
27 February 2018
Inauguration of European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
Inauguration of 10th Regional Office Coordinated by South Africa-based OAD
24 January 2018
Results of the IAU-Office of Astronomy for Development’s 2017 Annual Call for Proposals
2 June 2017
IAU and Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology sign addendum concerning East African ROAD
28 April 2017
IAU-OAD 2017 Call for Proposals: New Format
09 February 2017
Results of the 2016 Annual Call for Proposals
10 January 2017
OAD Yearbook 2016
28 July 2016
OAD 2016 Annual Call for Proposals Now Open
01 May 2016
Inaugural Conference of the Portuguese Language Office of Astronomy for Development
23 February 2016
Vacancy Announcement: Astronomer at IAU-Office of Astronomy for Development
8 February 2016
Prestigious Edinburgh Medal to be Awarded to a South African
8 February 2016
IAU and Kevin Govender Jointly Receive Prestigious Edinburgh Medal
14 December 2015
Results of the OAD 2015 Annual Call for Proposals
02 December 2015
IAU-OAD Inauguration of Arab Regional Office and Arabic Language Expertise Center
25 November 2015
IAU-OAD West African Regional Office Inauguration
13 August 2015
IAU Signs Agreements for Five New Coordinating Offices of Astronomy for Development
12 August 2014
Zambia Hosts Southern African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
30 June 2014
Call for Proposals from the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
25 April 2014
Office of Astronomy for Development Releases First Brochure
10 January 2014
Ethiopia Hosts East African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
10 July 2013
IAU Office of Astronomy for Development Call for Proposals Launched
24 September 2012
IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach is Open
27 August 2012
East Asia ROAD agreement signed
15 May 2012
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) establishes three Task Forces
18 January 2012
Call for expressions of interest/proposals to host OAD Regional Nodes
16 April 2011
South African Minister of Science and Technology launches the IAU Global Office of Astronomy for Development. Read more about the launch of the Office of Astronomy for Development.
03 December 2010
Director of Office for Astronomy Development (OAD) appointed
30 July 2010
Agreement signed for the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
25 May 2010
South African Astronomical Observatory Selected as Host for the IAU Office for Astronomy Development
18 November 2009
Announcement of Opportunity to host the Office for Astronomy Developmenthttps://spaceinafrica.com/2024/08/21/south-africa-hosts-africas-first-iau-general-assembly/