Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2005 (CAP 2005)

The ESO/ESA/IAU Conference

Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2005

14-17 June 2005

ESO HQ, Garching, Munich, Germany

Intro

We live in an era of unprecedented scientific progress. The growing impact of technology has brought science ever more into our daily lives. However, without a general awareness of science in the public domain and a lack of a broad appreciation of scientific progress, the public is left with nothing to counterbalance the pervasive influence of mystical beliefs. The role of science communication is to remedy this lack and bring achievements in science into the public eye.

Popular science communication provides a bridge between the scientific community and the wider world, providing examples of scientific success stories to society at large and supporting the educational use of scientific products. One of its main tasks is to publicise the presence of the natural sciences in all aspects of society and our daily lives. Increased public scientific awareness is in the interest of scientific organisations, scientists, decision-makers and the general public.

Improving science literacy, or moulding cultural thought, in the population is a worthy goal in itself - an informed citizenship is vital for tomorrow's democracy - and astronomy is widely recognised as a subject that has a special appeal in this regard.

Timeline