Astronomy Day is an annual event in various countries, intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.
History This event was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, the president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California. His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoy views of the heavens. Since then the event has expanded and is now sponsored by a number of organizations associated with astronomy.Editors of Sky and Telescope;"Celebrate Astronomy Day". Nepe Sky And Telescope:April 28, 2012
Originally, Astronomy Day occurred on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, and was scheduled so as to occur at or close to the first quarter Moon. In 2007, an autumn Astronomy Day was added. It was scheduled to occur on a Saturday between mid-September and mid-October so as to be on or close to the first quarter Moon.
Future events The Moon's influence on the schedule means that the events happen on a different date each year, rather than set calendar dates. The table below shows the dates for upcoming Astronomy Days: + Timeline of Astronomy Day events Year Season Astronomy Day First Quarter Moon2026SpringApril 25April 21AutumnSeptember 19September 142027SpringMay 8May 7AutumnOctober 9October 62028SpringApril 29April 25AutumnSeptember 23September 242029SpringMay 12May 12AutumnSeptember 15September 112030SpringMay 4May 2AutumnSeptember 28September 272031SpringApril 26April 22AutumnSeptember 20September 17
Past events
+ Timeline of Astronomy Day events Year Season Astronomy Day First Quarter Moon 2005 Spring April 16 April 16 2006 Spring May 6 May 5 2007 Spring April 21 April 24 2008 Spring May 10 May 12 2009 Spring May 2 May 1 2010 Spring April 24 April 21 Autumn October 16 October 14 2011 Spring May 7 May 10 Autumn October 1 October 3 2012 Spring April 28 April 30 Autumn October 20 October 21 2013 Spring April 20 April 18 Autumn October 13 October 11 2014 Spring May 10 May 7 Autumn October 4 October 12015SpringApril 25April 25AutumnSeptember 19September 212016SpringMay 14May 13AutumnOctober 8October 92017SpringApril 29May 2AutumnSeptember 30September 272018SpringApril 21April 22AutumnOctober 13October 162019SpringMay 11May 11AutumnOctober 5October 52020SpringMay 2April 30AutumnSeptember 26September 232021SpringMay 15May 19AutumnOctober 9October 122022SpringMay 7May 8AutumnOctober 1October 22023SpringApril 29April 27AutumnSeptember 23September 222024SpringMay 18May 15AutumnOctober 12October 102025SpringMay 3May 4AutumnSeptember 27September 29
The Astronomical League canceled the in-person event in 2020 due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 virus. Some organizations, such as the Lowell Observatory, hosted virtual events to continue the tradition.
See also Events Earth Hour Earth Day/Earth Week Earth Week 100 Hours of Astronomy (100HA) National Dark-Sky Week (NDSW) National Astronomy Week (NAW) World Space Week (WSW) White House Astronomy Night
References
External links Astronomical League information page on Astronomy Day Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Astronomy Day Sky And Telescope A Csillagászat Napja 2018-ban