IAU Division XII Working Group: Communicating
Astronomy with the Public
Dear .......................
I write on behalf of the Organizing Committee of the above
IAU Working Group, established following a highly successful
meeting on "Communicating Astronomy to the Public"
held at the US National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C.
in October 2003 and sponsored by the US National Research Council
and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, with support from
NSF and NASA.
The meeting brought together the "producers" of astronomical
information (research scientists), "public information
officers" (connected with large observatories and space
missions), and "mediators" (science reporters and
writers, staff members from museums, planetariums, and national
parks, operators of commercial web sites focussed on astronomy,
a writer and a director of science fiction, as well as some
K-12 and 2-year college teachers). There were representatives
of the US, Canada and several European countries. The principle
outcome from the meeting was the development of the 'Washington
Charter'.
The Washington Charter outlines "Principles of Action"
for individuals and organizations that conduct astronomical
research, who "have a compelling obligation to communicate
their results and efforts with the public for the benefit of
all". The Charter can be found at: http://www.communicatingastronomy.org/washington_charter
The IAU WG is co-chaired by Dennis Crabtree (NRC-HIA) from Canada
and Ian Robson (UKATC) of the UK, Lars Lindberg Christensen
of ESO is the Executive Secretary. Information on the Working
Group can be found at: http://www.communicatingastronomy.org
The Working Group is now instrumental in seeking endorsements
for the Washington Charter from professional astronomy societies,
amateur societies, funding agencies, research institutes, observatories
and astronomy departments. The Charter has already been endorsed
by a number of astronomical societies including the Royal Astronomical
Society of the UK and the Canadian Astronomical Society. I am
now requesting that the Washington Charter is endorsed by the
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. We would expect that those organizations
that endorse the Charter will allow their names to be displayed
on the web as an example for others to follow.
Please get back to me if you have further questions. I look
forward to a positive response.
Best regards,
