From 2 to 5 April 2009, the 100 Hours of Astronomy (a Cornerstone Project of the International Year of Astronomy, will take place. During that time, throughout the world as many people as possible shall be given the opportunity to look through a telescope.

This page lists some of the events that will take place during the 100 hours.

Also have a look at the official 100 Hours of Astronomy website.

 

Around the World in 80 Telescopes

During the 100 Hours of Astronomy there will be a live webcast from telescopes around the world. So finally you can see for yourself what astronomers are doing at night. In particular, a webcast from SALT is scheduled for 3 April at 11 p.m. SAST! (Details)

Soutpansberg Astronomy Club

The Soutpansberg Astronomy Club in Louis Trichardt will set up telescopes, astronomy displays and a big screen at Makhado Crossing every evening from 2 to 5 April. (Pictures)

Kambrokind Guesthouse (Sutherland)

The Kambrokind Guesthouse in Sutherland will give short lectures as usual and have available 3 x 11 inch Celestron GO TO telescopes from 20h00 till midnight every night from 2 to 5 April.

Telescopes in Pretoria

The ASSA Pretoria Centre will offer telescope viewing at Irene Oval, Irene, Pretoria on the evening of Saturday, 4 April.

Yuri's Night at the SAAO

On 4 April, Yuri's Night will be celebrated at the South African Astronomical Observatory with testing, rocket motor testing, space talks, a bring-and-braai and more. (Pictures)

Star-gazing in Hartbeespoortdam

There will be a public star-gazing (under the auspices of the ASSA, Pretoria Centre) at Hartbeespoortdam on the evening of Friday, 3 April. It will take place at the "Jasmyn" shopping area.

Five telescopes will be available for viewing. In case of bad weather, a lecture on the popular aspects of astronomy will be presented.

And meanwhile in Nigeria...

The Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS) at Nsukka (Nigeria) offers an astronomy evening at the CBSS Observatory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, on 3 April. The programme will include talk shows, exhibition of astronomy posters, a planetarium show and night observations with a Galileoscope and a 25cm Optical telescope.

Star-gazing in Cape Town

The Primary Science Programme, the Edith Stephens Wetland Park conservationists and the SAAO offer a public star-gazing at the Edith Stephens Wetland Park (Lansdowne Road, Philippi, Cape Town) from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 4 April. (Pictures)

A live webcast at the MTN Sciencentre

The MTN Science Centre at Canal Walk, Century City, Cape Town, will be participating in a global webcast with science centres from around the world to discuss the importance of space observations throughout history at 7 p.m. on 2 April. The South African contribution will highlight naked eye observations of the sky and the knowledge systems of indigenous people. Themba Matemola from Iziko Planetarium will be talking on indigenous African Astronomy during this webcast. The webcast will be followed by stargazing on the roof.

A dark site north of Riversdale

On 2 April 2009, a group of people (estimated about 10 -15) will be taken to a nature reserve some 40 km north of Riversdale, called Doornkloof, a nice dark site located at 33.8453 S, 21,1934 E. The group will include nature conservators, school children and general public. An introductory talk will be given and then the skies will be scanned through a 300mm F8 Dobsonian and binoculars.

The event might be repeated on the 3rd, weather permitting.

Telescopes during the day

The SAAO will host a telescope viewing of various interesting spots in Cape Town at SACS Junior School in Newlands during the morning of 2 April. (Pictures)

Bringing the Stars to the Shops

The West Rand Astronomy Club are hosting 4 functions for the 100 Hours of Astronomy:

3 April

• Northgate Shopping Center, Randburg
• Key West Shopping Center, Krugersdorp

4 Aoril

• Cresta Shopping Center, Cresta
• Clear Water Mall, Strubens Valley

And more!

You can find more 100 Hours of Astronomy events in South Africa on the official 100 Hours of Astronomy events page!