Fact Sheet for the International Astronomical Union General Assembly from 6 to 15 August 2024 PDF Free Download
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FACT SHEET FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL
ASTRONOMICAL UNION
GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM
6 TO 15 AUGUST 2024
The World Science Forum (WSF) is a global biennial meeting that provides
the scientific community, public policy makers, industry, civil society and other
stakeholders with a global platform to exchange ideas on the growing
interdependence of science and society, and the role of science in addressing
global challenges facing humanity.
The 2022 WSF will be held at the Cape Town International Convention
Centre from 6 to 9 December 2022. The programme includes various
lectures and parallel sessions aimed at addressing a diverse range of science
and policy-related topics and themes. There will also be exhibitions, science
and historical excursions, and a community outreach programme targeting
young people.
The South African Department of Science and Innovation is hosting the 2022
event in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the
International Science Council (ISC), the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS), The World Academy of Sciences, the
European Academies Science Advisory Council and the InterAcademy
Partnership.
WHAT
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About the World Science Forum
The 1999 World Conference on Science for the Twenty-First Century,
convened in Budapest, Hungary, by UNESCO, the International Council
for Science (now part of the ISC) and other partners, highlighted the
need for a forum for discussion between the scientific community and
society.
Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in partnership with UNESCO, ISC and
AAAS therefore established a series of follow-up events called the
World Science Forum.
The first four events, in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009, were all held in
Hungary. They looked at the societal impact of knowledge, the ethical
responsibilities of scientists and decision-makers, the importance of
knowledge resources to manage the world's economies and societies,
and a strategic vision for the future of science.
Astronomy vs astrology
Astronomy is the branch of science that
studies everything outside of the Earth's
atmosphere.
Astrology is the non-scientific practice of
using the positions of celestial objects to
explain or predict human behavior. When
we talk about astrology it is usually about
zodiac signs like Libra, Gemini, Sagittarius,
etc.
What is the IAU?
The International Astronomical Union
(IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is
to promote and safeguard the science of
astronomy in all its aspects, including
research, communication, education and
development, through international
cooperation in Africa.
How does the IAU work?
The key activity of the IAU is the
organisation of scientific meetings. IAU
General Assemblies are a unique
opportunity for global experts and
scientists working in all fields of astronomy
to come together, regardless of whether
they are members of the IAU or not. The
IAU General Assembly (GA) also includes
a substantial and attractive scientific
programme. Since 1922, the IAU General
Assembly has met every three years.
Who is hosting this year's GA?
This year, the National Research
Foundation, an entity of the Department of
Science and Innovation (DSI) will host the
IAU GA, supported by the DSI and the
African Astronomical Society (AfAS).
The 2024 IAU GA is a first for Africa
This year's event will celebrate the
continent's astronomical heritage and
commitment to advancing the field. South
Africa's hosting of the IAU GA in Cape
Town is the first time the assembly is
hosted on African soil. It is significant as it
shows confidence in Africa's ability to
contribute to world-class astronomy and
showcases South Africa's astronomical
infrastructure.
The GA offers an opportunity to change
the way the world views Africa. Historically
the continent has been defined by poverty,
inequality and exploitation. It is hoped that
this gathering will demonstrate to the
world the immense potential of the African
people to rise above our very real
challenges and contribute to the world's
knowledge of the universe.
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More than just a conference
This year's GA will also include
"unconference sessions" that allow anyone
attending the IAU GA (in person or
online) to propose a talk, workshop or
discussion session that will be voted on by
the other attendees. The proposals with
the highest votes will be given a space in
the venue for a presentation.
Outreach and education
Astronomy is a field that captures the
imagination of people everywhere. The
hundreds of astronomers descending on
the African continent will have an
opportunity to engage with schools and
the general public about their science and
potentially leave a lasting impact on the
communities they visit. Visit the IAU
Outreach and Education page for more
information:
https://astronomy2024.org/outreach-and-
education/
South Africa supports astronomy
The words on the South African coat of
arms are "!ke e: /xarra //ke" which means
"diverse people unite". Let us all unite
under the African sky and celebrate our
diversity – because therein lies our
greatest strength as the astronomy
community. Our diversity is what will
grow not only the field of astronomy but it
will also grow us as people.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT
Scientific sessions
With more than 200 scientific sessions,
there will not be a dull moment at the IAU
GA. Invited speakers include Dr Bernie
Fanaroff (former director at the Square
Kilometre Array), Prof. Natalie Batalha
(whose research involves investigating
planetary habitability and searching for
evidence of life beyond the solar system),
and Prof. Joop Schaye (whose research
focuses on the formation of galaxies and
the intergalactic medium). Other
attendees are winners of the Kavli, Shaw,
Gruber and Nobel prizes, ensuring that a
large array of disciplines and expertise will
be represented.
Innovative and hybrid
All scientific sessions as well as oral
presentations and posters will be
accessible to in-person and online
participants. We're aiming for a rewarding
virtual experience with an immersive
online space for networking, remote
presentations and posters, virtual question-
and-answer sessions, mobile Zoom rooms
(where someone walks the virtual
participants around the venue), a live
Zoom room in the exhibition hall where
people in Cape Town can walk up to a
screen and talk to virtual participants, etc.
See the full programme here:
https://astronomy2024.org/detailed-draft-
programme/.
Exhibitions and side events
There will be dozens of engaging
exhibitions, including stands by the
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration and other international
astronomy stakeholders.
A large number of scientific meetings,
workshops and hackathons are being
planned as side events, in addition to the
main scientific programme. They will offer
opportunities for further engagement,
learning and collaboration among
researchers from across the world. See
here for more details:
https://astronomy2024.org/side-events/
A live link to the International Space
Station
There will even be a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to speak to the astronauts on
board the International Space Station (ISS)!
The IAU will be collaborating with the
Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station group to connect live to astronauts
in space via ham radio. The event is
targeted at schools but open to all
conference participants. Questions from
schools will be answered live by the ISS
astronauts.
Art exhibition
An art exhibition called "Shared Skies", by
the Square Kilometre Array Organisation,
will be on display for the duration of the
conference. Since the Square Kilometre
Array will be hosted in South Africa and
Australia, this international indigenous
art/astronomy exhibition that stems from a
vision to bring together "under one sky"
Aboriginal Australian and South African
artists to collaborate and celebrate
humanity's ancient cultural wisdom.
Market
A vibrant pop-up market at the GA will
offer a platform for local makers, vendors,
and crafters to showcase and sell their
handmade goods and local innovative
products to a global audience. The market
will not only provide a unique and
authentic shopping experience for
conference participants but will also
support local entrepreneurs while
highlighting the rich cultural heritage and
artisanal talent in Cape Town and South
Africa.
Tour South African astronomical sites
South Africa has plenty of astronomy
facilities that can be visited by conference
participants before, during and after the
conference. For booking and other
information, visit
https://astronomy2024.org/technical-tours/.
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