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.