Astronomy Without Borders: Astronomical Outreach Around the World - Livestream

Astronomy has been a part of every culture throughout history. Mike Simmons has traveled extensively, meeting and working with astronomy enthusiasts around the world. In this presentation, he’ll show us passionate amateur astronomers exploring the Universe and sharing it with others in even the most unlikely circumstances, including war zones, developing countries, and isolated locations. Mike will share his experiences organizing and leading global astronomy projects and organizations in astronomy, including 100 Hours of Astronomy, a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 that attracted as many as a million people viewing through telescopes in one night.

Mike will also show how astronomy is much more than a hobby. Mike will share his experiences from founding and leading Astronomers Without Borders, creating in programs that connected people in order to create understanding and empathy, replacing ignorance and fear. Astronomy is also used to introduce teachers and students to science in places lacking formal training and facilities, creating opportunities for underserved and disadvantaged communities, and helping to build the future in developing countries. Astronomy also shows us our place in the cosmos, serving as a kind of Overview Effect, the experience many astronauts have after seeing Earth as a planet among the stars. This is the basis for our caring about our planet and our fellow travelers on Spaceship Earth. Astronomy shows us that we really are all in this together.

Attend on Facebook.