Opening Ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy    

UNESCO, Paris, France, January 15-16 2009

2009 has been declared International Year of Astronomy by the General Assembly of the UN (United Nations Organization).

The Opening ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy was held in Paris, January 15-16, 2009, under the aegis of the UN, the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), the IAU (International Astronomical Union). It is also supported by a number of sponsors including French and international organizations and institutions .

About 900 persons participated, among them eminent scientists (including Nobel Prize winners), and also about 100 young students from over 100 countries, participating to the International Year IYA2009. Attendance was on invitation only.

The webcast of the ceremony   |   Cosmic Diary's liveblog, covering the Ceremony

Album-Photo and summary of the conferences J-P Martin   |   Reportage - Photos, Agnès ANNE   |   V. Grigore