17-January-2008, Paris: The organisers of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO, welcomed this week the 100th participating country to the growing ranks of participating countries and organisations for this worldwide astronomy project. This milestone is reached only four weeks after the official Proclamation of IYA2009 by the United Nations.

The latest country to join the International Year of Astronomy 2009 initiative is the People's Republic of Bangladesh. This is a particularly welcome addition to the growing worldwide project since one of its aims is to promote astronomy and develop astronomical networks in developing countries.

Mr. F. R. Sarker the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Astronomical Society is the Chair of the Bangladesh IYA2009 National Node and explains why he and his country are participating in the International Year of Astronomy 2009:
"The IYA2009 is a historic event which will offer unique opportunities for the people of Bangladesh to learn more about the incredible developments in the field of astronomy."

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 projects and activities aim to help millions of people worldwide to rediscover their place in the Universe through the day and night time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 represents the largest coordinated effort of professional and non-professional astronomers in history for popularising astronomy. The President of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Catherine Cesarsky says: "We are delighted that the International Year of Astronomy 2009 gives a chance to the astronomers from the IAU member countries to reach out to the rest of the world and share the new knowledge and excitement of today's astronomy"

Mr. F. R. Sarker adds: "Although being a developing country, Bangladesh has a large number of space enthusiasts, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world. The Bangladesh Astronomical Society aims to let 200,000 people observing the night sky through telescopes during 2009. On 22 July, 2009 a total solar eclipse will be visible on northern part of Bangladesh, this will be one of the most memorable celestial events in the history of the country. Our hope is that IYA2009 will enable Bangladesh to establish a large optical observatory in Chittagong to explore the mysteries of the Universe."

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 will be a global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. In addition to the 100 coiuntries already involved in the IYA2009, 14 organisations are involved. Well over 140 countries and many organisations are expected to participate in the initiative in 2009.

For more information about the International Year of Astronomy 2009 please visit the website at http://www.astronomy2009.org/

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Notes for editors

The vision of the IYA2009 is to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day and night time sky - and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. All humans should realize the impact of astronomy and basic sciences on our daily lives, and understand better how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.

The aim of the IYA2009 is to stimulate worldwide interest, especially among young people, in astronomy and science under the central theme ‚"The Universe, Yours to Discover". IYA2009 events and activities will promote a greater appreciation of the inspirational aspects of astronomy that embody an invaluable shared resource for all countries.

The IYA2009 activities will take place at the global and regional levels, and especially at the national and local levels. National Nodes in each state have been formed to prepare activities for 2009. These Nodes establish collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers, science centres, educators and science communicators in preparing activities for 2009. The International Year of Astronomy was proclaimed by the United Nations on 20 December 2007.

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together almost 10,000 distinguished astronomers from all nations of the world. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

For more information, please contact:

IYA2009 National Node Chair for the People's Republic of Bangladesh
F. R. Sarker
Bangladesh Astronomical Society
Tel: +880-2-8014310, 8011335
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IAU President, Chair of the IAU Executive Committee IYA2009 Working Group
Catherine Cesarsky
Tel: +49-89-32-00-62-27
Cell: +49-171-67-47-165
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IAU General Secretary
Karel A. van der Hucht
International Astronomical Union
98bis bd Arago, F-75014 Paris, France

home institute:
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Sorbonnelaan 2, NL-3584CA UTRECHT, the Netherlands
Tel: +31-30-2535729/5600
Cell: +31-6-53-960237.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IYA 2009 Secretariat
Pedro Russo
IAU & ESA/Hubble, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49-89-320-06-195
Cell: +49-176-61100211 / +351-962854775
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

UNESCO Contact
Yolanda Berenguer
Space Education Programme Coordinator
UNESCO HQ, Paris
Tel: +33-1-45684171
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IAU Press Officer/Secretary of IAU IYA2009 Executive Committee Working Group
Lars Lindberg Christensen
ESA/Hubble & IAU, Garching, Germany
Tel: +49-89-32-00-63-06
Cellular: +49-173-3872-621
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The 100 IYA2009 Participating Countries List (Alphabetic order)

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia, the Republic of
5. Cyprus
6. Czech Republic
7. Denmark
8. Estonia
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. Hungary
14. Iceland
15. Ireland
16. Italy
17. Latvia
18. Lithuania
19. Malta
20. Netherlands
21. Norway
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Romania
25. Russian Federation
26. Serbia, Republic of
27. Slovakia
28. Spain
29. Sweden
30. Switzerland
31. Turkey
32. Ukraine
33. United Kingdom
34. Algeria
35. Angola
36. Argentina
37. Armenia
38. Australia
39. Bangladesh
40. Benin
41. Bolivia
42. Brazil
43. Canada
44. Chile
45. China
    • China Nanjing
    • China Taipei
    • Hong Kong
46. Colombia
47. Congo, Republic of the
48. Costa Rica
49. Cuba
50. Ecuador
51. Egypt
52. El Salvador
53. Gabon
54. Georgia
55. Guatemala
56. Honduras
57. India
58. Indonesia
59. Iran, Islamic Republic of
60. Israel
61. Japan
62. Jordan
63. Kenya
64. Korea, Republic of
65. Lesotho
66. Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
67. Malaysia
68. Mauritius
69. Mexico
70. Morocco
71. Mozambique
72. Namibia
73. Nepal
74. New Zealand
75. Nicaragua
76. Nigeria
77. Oman
78. Pakistan
79. Panama
80. Paraguay
81. Peru
82. Philippines
83. Qatar
84. Rwanda
85. Senegal
86. South Africa
87. Sri Lanka
88. Sudan
89. Tajikistan
90. Thailand
91. Tunisia
92. Uganda
93. United Republic of Tanzania
94. United Arab Emirates
95. United States
96. Uruguay
97. Uzbekistan
98. Vatican City State
99. Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
100. VietNam

Downloads:

Word Document: IYA2009_IAU_press_release2_100thSpoC_12.doc

Image Hi-Res (TIFF): IAU0801_100thIYA2009SPoC01.tif

Image Low-Res (JPEG): IAU0801_100thIYA2009SPoC_small.jpg

Image Caption: The chair of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) Bangladesh National Node, Mr. F. R. Sarker, giving a speech during the 2005 World Space Week. Bangladesh is the 100th participating country in the IYA2009 initiative.