2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, and throughout the United States there are celebrations and events planned. Here is a local listing of Louisville opportunities to help you expand your view of the universe in 2009. How will you join the celebration?

Louisville Astronomical Society

The Louisville Astronomical Society will continue for the rest of year with public events that emphasize Galileo and the International Year of Astronomy. For a full list, go to louisville-astro.org. Of note:

Public Nights at the Urban Astronomy Center (Friday nights) - 9/25, 10/23, 11/20, 12/18
Public Nights at Curby (Saturday nights) -9/26, 10/24, 11/21, 12/19.

Galileo and Copernicus at the Frazier

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, the Frazier International History Museum is partnering with the University of Louisville Libraries & Jefferson Community and Technical College to bring first-edition books written by two ground-breaking scientists to the public. Come see the authentic, radical works of Copernicus and Galileo at the Frazier Museum August 1, 2009 through January 3, 2010. For more information click here.

Look up!

Find out what is going on in Louisville's sky this month and at our monthly Skies Over Louisville live star program the first Saturday night of every month. Dig out that telescope and learn how to use it a one of our telescope workshops on 9/5, 10/3, 11/7 and 12/5.

Take a closer look at the Hubble IYA Image Exhibits.

Two new mural-sized images taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory were unveiled in February by Dr. Gerard Williger and Joe Meiring of the University of Louisville's Department of Physics and Astronomy. The images commemorate the International Year of Astronomy and on are display throughout 2009 in the lobby of the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium.

Take a Hike

Bernheim's full-moon night hikes are timed to start at sunset so that the moon appears rising over the horizon during the hike. Moon lore, night ecology and night sky features are regular fare during our night hikes. More information, dates and times are available at www.bernheim.org.