Nature Comment: Accessible hybrid conferences are possible and affordable at large scale

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Nature Comment: Accessible hybrid conferences are possible and affordable at large scale

In August 2024, the International Astronomical Union General Assembly was held for the first time on the African continent, as a fully hybrid and open-access conference. This opportunity to approach such a traditional and historical event from a new perspective encouraged a spirit of innovation enabled by emerging technologies.

In a rapidly evolving world where gathering in person is increasingly challenging, hybrid meetings have become essential to keep communities connected. However, achieving meaningful hybrid interaction during a conference is currently far from trivial, as it combines all of the many requirements of an effective in-person meeting with those of an equally effective online meeting. Despite these obstacles, hybrid conferences ensure heightened accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability via the inclusion of the online component.

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Nature Comment: Impact and Legacy of the XXXII IAU General Assembly

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Nature Comment: Impact and Legacy of the XXXII IAU General Assembly

The XXXII IAU General Assembly, held for the first time on the African continent from 6–15 August 2024, marked a historic milestone in the global astronomy community. Driven by a bold vision, the event highlighted Africa’s growing scientific capacity, and embodied the African spirit of Ubuntu, emphasizing accessibility, impact, and sustainability.

‘It’s time for Africa!’ This has been the rallying call since 2018 when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced that its XXXII General Assembly (GA) would be held, for the first time in the more than 100 year history of the IAU, on the African continent. For the African astronomical community and the host organization, the National Research Foundation (NRF), this presented an exceptional opportunity to showcase the incredible scientific capacity within the continent and to connect like never before with the rest of the world’s astronomers. For the IAU it was an opportunity to bring global attention to Africa and to push forward its goal of being a truly international organization, having its GA finally taking place on all six populated continents of the world. In the aftermath of this significant event, we reflect on its impact on astronomy in Africa, as well as the impact of Africa on astronomy.

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Report of the IAU General Assembly 2024

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Report of the IAU General Assembly 2024

The 32nd General Assembly (GA) of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from the 6th to 15th August 2024. The South African National Research Foundation (NRF) was the principal host of this event, with support from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the African Astronomical Society (AfAS). This was the first time in the history of the IAU, since its establishment in 1919, that this triennial event was held on the African continent. As the African astronomy community, we wanted to use the GA to do more than any other science meeting — we wanted it to make an impact and change how the world saw Africa. This vision was capture in Vision 2024, a document that was initiated soon after the GA bid outcome was announced in 2018, shared widely and shaped openly by the astronomy community on the continent, to become our guiding ambition and spirit in all the work that followed.

In the end there was a total of 2648 participants (2045 in person and 603 virtual) from 107 countries (28 of those being African countries). There were 211 science sessions (including plenaries) and 16 poster sessions – all fully hybrid – as well as numerous other meetings, side events, social functions and outreach activities. There were 20 sponsors and 43 exhibitors. The immersive platform Spatial had over 4200 views, and there were over 1100 active members on Slack with 21733 messages sent throughout the event. The open access streams on YouTube had 20200 views and 374 subscribers. There were 8200 unique viewers and over 300 returning viewers. Media coverage was extensive with media monitoring services reporting total media circulation of 87,993,115. The extensive outreach and education activities during the GA reached around 28,000 school learners, 85 educators and around 3,800 general public. An extensive grants programme, funded by the IAU, Simons Foundation, DSI and a crowd funding campaign by LSST-DA, provided 901 grants to participants.

 

The event was the first ever open access IAU GA (sessions were streamed live on YouTube for free and are still available) and was opened by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. It was also the first ever fully hybrid poster session in a meeting of this sort, allowing poster presenters to be online on Zoom or in person. It was the first time any VR-compatible immersive platform (Spatial) was used for an IAU GA, and for the first time ever, there was a live radio broadcast (Radio Astro) for 8 hours per day on every day of the GA. Yet another first was the establishment of an African craft market within the venue itself, engaging local small business. The conference provided free child care and the extensive programme of social events ensured that participants were exposed to African culture (not just South Africa) as well as what can only be described as the humanity of scientists. This human touch was a highlight mentioned by many participants.

A highlight of the outreach and engagement efforts was that in celebration of Women’s Day on 9th August, there was a live link to the International Space Station where school children got to speak to astronaut Sunita Williams, while having astronauts Dr Mae Jemison and Dr Sian Proctor in the room in Cape Town.

Highlights

  • The event was opened by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel “Blade” Nzimande. Later, the Deputy Minister, Ms. Nomalungela Gina, addressed participants at the Gala Dinner.
  • This was the first ever open access IAU GA (sessions were streamed live on YouTube for free and are still available).
  • We successfully carried out the first ever hybrid poster session in a meeting of this sort, with 100 Raspberry Pis running with webcams on 40” screens, allowing poster presenters to be online on Zoom or in person. The equipment will be donated to various schools and centres in underserved communities.
  • It was the first time any VR-compatible immersive platform (Spatial) was used for an IAU GA. This featured 15 custom Spatial spaces, including a Virtual Cosmic Echoes exhibition mirroring the physical exhibition.
  • For the first time ever we had a live radio broadcast (Radio Astro) for 8 hours per day on every day of the GA, using it also as a training platform for aspiring radio journalists, and generating content for community radio stations globally to use for free.
  • Yet another first was the establishment of a craft market within the venue itself, engaging local small business and allowing participants to meet and support South African entrepreneurs.
  • The conference provided free child care for all participants who wished to make use of it, in partnership with a local school.
  • In partnership with Wesgro (part of local government) there was a Space Industry reception which brought together local tech companies involved in the Space sector together with international organisations attending the GA such as NASA, NAOJ, ESA, etc.
  • A Special Breakfast Briefing was held as a cultivation event with funding prospects to discuss the future of African astronomy and sponsored by the British High Commission.
  • High profile speakers included Nobel Prize Winner Prof Brian Schmidt; the first African American Woman in Space Dr Mae Jemison; and the first African American Woman to Pilot a Spacecraft Dr Sian Proctor.
  • In celebration of Women’s Day on 9th August, we had a live link to the International Space Station where school learners got to speak to astronaut Sunita Willams, while having both Dr Mae Jemison and Dr Sian Proctor in the room.
  • The extensive programme of social events ensured that participants were exposed to African culture as well as what can only be described as the humanity of scientists. This human touch was a highlight mentioned by many participants.

Feedback

While informal comments and feedback from participants were received, the organising committee also sent out a formal feedback form for participants to provide input on their conference experience. A total of 547 participants (approximately 21% of all attendees) completed the form.
In the feedback form, participants were asked how many IAU General Assemblies (GAs) they had attended previously, and 344 participants indicated that the 2024 IAU General Assembly was their first.

Additionally, 58% of participants rated their overall experience of the GA as excellent, while the remaining participants rated it as above average; this feedback breakdown is displayed in the figure below. It is worth noting that of the 58% who rated their experience as excellent, approximately 20% were online participants.

Since the conference was hybrid, we were interested in knowing which attendance mode participants used. Notably, about 7% of participants attended both online and in-person. The breakdown of this feedback is shown below.

 

The whole event was driven by the core principles of accessibility, impact and sustainability, with foundations of innovation and technology, and a spirit of humility and kindness. Huge thanks must go to the incredible organizing team, beyond just the NOC, comprising largely of NRF staff and volunteers, who helped make it all happen. The success of the event was clear from the feedback received, with outgoing IAU President Debra Elmegreen calling it “the best General Assembly in the history of the IAU”.

Thank You Message From the Chair

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Thank You Message From the Chair

It has taken me some time to gather my thoughts and emotions after this huge event and I write to you now mainly to say thank you. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey that ended up being so much more than a scientific meeting. It is always primarily the participants that make a meeting possible and we are hugely grateful to all of you. Informal feedback has been overwhelmingly positive thus far but a reminder that we have a more structured feedback form that we would very much appreciate you completing by end September. Of course you are still most welcome to send me any informal feedback directly by email if you prefer (positive or negative, all will be appreciated).

Numbers are still being checked but in the end we had 2648 participants (2045 in person and 603 virtual) from 107 countries, with 647 of these students (500 in person and 147 virtual). 911 grants were awarded with significant African participation achieved. There were 211 science sessions (including plenaries) and 16 poster sessions (all hybrid) plus many social and side events including 16 online-first. There were 20 sponsors and 43 exhibitors. The immersive platform Spatial had over 4200 views, and there were over 1100 active members on Slack with 21733 messages sent throughout the event (these networking platforms are still available until end September by the way). The open access streams on YouTube had 20.2k views and 374 subscribers. There were 8.2k unique viewers and over 300 returning viewers. Media coverage was extensive with media monitoring services reporting total media circulation of 87,993,115. The extensive outreach and education activities during the GA reached around 28,000 school learners, 85 educators and around 3,800 general public. Thank you for all your contributions towards these statistics!

Some other highlights from the IAU GA in brief: 
• The event was opened by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel “Blade” Nzimande. Later, the Deputy Minister, Ms. Nomalungela Gina, addressed participants at the Gala Dinner.
• This was the first ever open access IAU GA (sessions were streamed live on YouTube for free and are still available).
• We successfully carried out the first ever hybrid poster session in a meeting of this sort, with 100 Raspberry Pis running with webcams on 40” screens, allowing poster presenters to be online on Zoom or in person. The equipment will be donated to various schools and centres in underserved communities.
• It was the first time any VR-compatible immersive platform (Spatial) was used for an IAU GA. This featured 15 custom Spatial spaces, including a Virtual Cosmic Echoes exhibition mirroring the physical exhibition.
• For the first time ever we had a live radio broadcast (Radio Astro) for 8 hours per day on every day of the GA, using it also as a training platform for aspiring radio journalists, and generating content for community radio stations globally to use for free.
• Yet another first was the establishment of an African craft market within the venue itself, engaging local small business and allowing participants to meet and support South African entrepreneurs.
• The conference provided free child care at the venue for all participants who wished to make use of it, in partnership with a local school.
• In partnership with Wesgro (part of local government) there was a Space Industry networking reception which brought together local tech companies involved in the Space sector together with international organisations attending the GA such as NASA, NAOJ, ESA, etc.
• A Special Breakfast Briefing was held as a cultivation event with funding prospects to discuss the future of African astronomy and sponsored by the British High Commission.
• High profile speakers included Nobel Prize Winner Prof Brian Schmidt; the first African American Woman in Space Dr Mae Jemison; and the first African American Woman to Pilot a Spacecraft Dr Sian Proctor.
• In celebration of Women’s Day on 9th August, we had a live link to the International Space Station where school learners got to speak to astronaut Sunita Willams, while having both Dr Mae Jemison and Dr Sian Proctor in the room.
• The extensive programme of social events ensured that participants were exposed to African culture (not just South Africa) as well as what can only be described as the humanity of scientists. This human touch was a highlight mentioned by many participants.

The conference website (www.astronomy2024.org) will live on with info about proceedings, pictures, recordings, etc but I’d like to specifically draw your attention to this collection of amazing photos from our photographer Bradley Urion who I think did an amazing job of capturing GA memories.

Several people have said to me that one of the most memorable parts of this event was how much it recognised and celebrated scientists as people first. That beyond the science, it was about our humanity. Perhaps this could be one of the legacy aspects of this meeting. Perhaps this human spirit that defined the GA could be sustained within our respective work environments all around the world. Perhaps we can all spread the idea, through our actions, that we are able to build stronger collaborations and do better science if our interactions with each other were driven by kindness, humility and respect, recognizing and celebrating each other as people first.

I could not be more proud of our incredible team who have worked so hard but always with such passion, friendliness and a steadfast dedication to serve both you the participants and the various communities we impacted. They deserve all credit for pulling this off. I will be the first to acknowledge from an organisational side that not everything went exactly according to plan and we had our share of bumps along the way, but I do sincerely hope that the overall experience for all participants was a positive one.

As the African astronomy community we had always wanted to use the first GA on the continent to do more than any other science meeting. We wanted it to make an impact, to showcase our scientific and technological abilities and to change how the world saw Africa. We pushed ourselves to innovate, to dream big, and to deliver. Our guiding quote through many really challenging times was Nelson Mandela’s “it always seems impossible until it is done”. The very positive outcome of this GA – with all the daring innovations, principled decisions and calculated risks coming to fruition – did most certainly seem impossible at many points along the way. But the team persevered, and now it is done! We hope that you as participants will help carry the legacy of this GA forward through more collaborations, more scientific discovery, and more kindness within academia!

A side note: For me this has been a very significant life event, both professionally and personally. I have tried to document my own thoughts containing some of the history and context leading up to this GA; some specific acknowledgements for the many people involved along the way; and some deeply personal reflections regarding my own family, especially the connection between this GA and my wife Dr Carolina Ödman. If you are interested in that (very personal) side of the GA, you can find it here.

Thank you once again and all the best to you and your families!
Kevin

—
Kevin Govender
Director: IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (www.astro4dev.org)
Chair: IAU General Assembly 2024 National Organising Committee (www.astronomy2024.org)

Call for IAU GA 2024 Satellite Viewing Centres

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Resolutions to be Voted on at the Upcoming XXXII General Assembly

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Resolutions to be Voted on at the Upcoming XXXII General Assembly

Every three years, in coordination with the IAU General Assembly (GA), the IAU membership has the opportunity to make recommendations on scientific, administrative, and financial matters that have a broad and significant impact on the Union and the astronomical community as a whole.

Three resolutions will be presented for voting on 7 August and 14 August of this year, during the Business Sessions of the XXXII IAU GA in Cape Town, South Africa. The IAU Resolutions Committee has now approved the proposals of these three resolutions, which are as follows:

  • Resolution I for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from harmful interference by satellite constellations
  • Resolution II to establish a standard Lunar Celestial Reference System (LCRS) and Lunar Coordinate Time (TCL)
  • Resolution III on the establishment of a coordinated lunar time standard by international agreement

Voting will be accessible to both online and onsite participants of the General Assembly. After the Resolutions have been presented at the first Business Session on August 7, 5:15 pm (UTC+2), the voting will open for the duration of the second Business Session on August 14, 5:15 pm (UTC+2) and until 6:30 pm.

The texts of the three resolutions can be accessed via the links above.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12 000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world’s largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

Contacts

Claus Leitherer
Chair IAU Resolutions Committee
Email: leitherer@stsci.edu

Lina Canas
IAU Membership Coordinator
Email: lina.canas@iau.org / iaupressoffice@iau.org

Guido Schwarz
IAU Press Officer
Email: iaupressoffice@iau.org

Cape Town voted #2 Best City for 2024

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Cape Town voted #2 Best City for 2024

 

Cape Town has been voted the #2 Best City in the world by Time Out who surveyed 20,000 people across the world, including a network of global writers and editors.

As reported on CNN:

“At number two on Time Out’s list is Cape Town, South Africa, a city ranked, according to Time Out, by “every single survey respondent” as “beautiful,” thanks no doubt to its stunning combination of sea, cityscape and spectacular mountainous surroundings.

Time Out specifically shouted out Cape Town’s cultural offerings – from its late night museum evenings over the summer months to its theater and comedy offerings at Theatre on the Bay, as well as the newly opened Time Out Market Cape Town.

Katy Scott, who grew up in Cape Town and now lives in France, tells CNN Travel she sees it as “perhaps the most unpretentious coastal city in the world,” praising the opportunities to get out into nature as well as the “top-rated restaurants, pristine wine farms and a swanky nightlife scene.”

But Scott also points out “that these things aren’t accessible to the majority of citizens.”

“South Africa may be celebrating 30 years of democracy, but the inequality in cities like Cape Town is starker than ever,” says Scott.

With that in mind, Scott advises that “to truly understand the city and its people” visitors should “get out of the tourist bubble and take that trip to Robben Island or the District Six museum” – both spots recommended by Time Out that engage with South Africa’s apartheid history.

“Both places offer unique and powerful insights into South Africa’s history,” Scott says.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/23/travel/time-out-reveals-worlds-best-cities-for-2024/index.html

We look forward to welcoming you in August!

Abstract and Grant Submissions Open for IAU General Assembly 2024 in Africa

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Abstract and Grant Submissions Open for IAU General Assembly 2024 in Africa

Cape Town, South Africa – The National Organising Committee of the 32nd International Astronomical Union  General Assembly 2024 (IAU GA 2024) proudly announces the opening of abstract submissions and grant applications. This landmark event, hosted by the National Research Foundation, with strong support from the Department of Science and Innovation, is scheduled to take place from August 6 to 15, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa, and online, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held on the African continent, embracing three core principles of Accessibility, Impact and Sustainability.

This General Assembly is poised to be historic, not only because of its unique location but also due to its commitment to making astronomical science more accessible, impactful, and environmentally sustainable. The IAU GA 2024 aims to foster a family-friendly conference environment, promoting inclusive participation through its novel hybrid conferencing model.

Call for Abstracts

We invite the global astronomical community to submit abstracts for oral presentations and posters, available for both in-person and virtual participants. Submissions are open from 30 November 2023, to 01 March 2024, and can be made via the conference website (www.astronomy2024.org). Early bird registration rates are available until 01 March 2024.

Grant Opportunities

In line with our goal of inclusivity, conference participants can apply for a grant to support their participation in the IAU GA 2024., including IAU Grants and Africa Grants. These grants aim to support astronomers and students, particularly those with limited means of support and young scientists. We encourage interested participants to apply as part of their abstract submission process. The deadline for grant applications is also 01 March 2024.

Event Highlights

The IAU GA 2024 will feature an array of scientific sessions, symposia, and meetings across various astronomical disciplines. Some examples include symposia on Gravitational Wave Astrophysics, Advances in Solar Observations, and Planetary Science in the JWST Era, among others. Division and Working Group meetings will cover topics from Fundamental Astronomy to Dark and Quiet Sky Protection. A full list is available on the website: https://astronomy2024.org/programme/

Message from the Organisers

“We are excited to welcome the astronomy world to Africa in 2024! Our team has been working hard to ensure that this will be a historic and memorable event, not only for the astronomers and students who attend, but also for the public at large”  says Mr Kevin Govender, Chair of the National Organising Committee, IAU GA 2024.

Further Information

For more details on abstract submission, grant applications, and the conference program, please visit our website at https://astronomy2024.org or contact us at registrations@astronomy2024.org.

About the International Astronomical Union (IAU)

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12 000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world’s largest professional body for astronomers.

About the NRF

The NRF is a government-mandated research and science development agency. The NRF funds research, the development of high-end Human Capacity and critical research infrastructure to promote knowledge production across all disciplinary fields. The goal of the NRF is to create innovative funding instruments, advance research career development, increase public science engagement and establish leading-edge research platforms that will transform the scientific landscape and inspire a representative research community to aspire to global competitiveness. The NRF promotes South African research and innovation interests across the country and internationally, and together with research institutions, business, industry and international partners, and builds bridges between research communities for mutual benefit that contributes to National Development.

 

ENDS

Website

www.astronomy2024.org

Welcome Video:

https://youtu.be/MzR_dthayRE

Media Pack:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-Y4QJPVitwwDc-tiu29a-gFzyf5sNhbT?usp=drive_link

CONTACT:

Kevin Govender

IAU GA 2024 National Organising Committee Chair

Email: info@astronomy2024.org / kg@astro4dev.org

Daniel Cunnama

IAU GA 2024 National Organising Committee Communications

Email: info@astronomy2024.org / d.cunnama@saao.nrf.ac.za

Lars Lindberg Christensen

IAU Director of Communications

Cell: +1 520 461 0433/+49 173 38 72 621

Email: lars.christensen@noirlab.edu

 

IAU Travel Fund for African Astronomers

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IAU Travel Fund for African Astronomers

Every three years, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) organizes a General Assembly (GA) where thousands of astronomers meet to discuss progress in their scientific field. In 2024, and for the first time in the over 100-year history of the IAU, the GA will take place on the African continent. This is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many African astronomers.

LSST Discovery Alliance (LSST-DA), in collaboration with the African Astronomical Society and the National Organizing Committee of the IAU General Assembly, is raising funds to support African astronomers to attend the IAU General Assembly in their own continent. This fundraising campaign is the sole avenue for individuals to donate to this program. Donations can be made from anywhere in the world.

Astronomy is currently an emerging scientific field in Africa. Although it is taught and researched, funding is often tight, and in particular, students and early-career researchers may not have local funds to enable them to attend professional conferences. Moreover, there is currently minimal engagement with African countries in Rubin’s LSST.

Attending a professional conference alongside the leaders in your field of study, including Nobel Prize winners, is often a life-changing and career-defining opportunity. In order to make the IAU GA a truly African and inclusive event, this fund will provide travel grants for professional astronomers who are working and living in Africa, including MSc and PhD students, to attend the GA.

Please join us in supporting this unique opportunity to expand inclusion in astronomy! LSST-DA will direct 100% of funds received to AfAS. If contributions exceed the demand for travel support through this program, AfAS will use them to support astronomy programs in Africa.

*Donations to the LSST-DA Africa Travel Fund are not CLOSED*

You can support the African astronomy community by donating a registration https://astronomy2024.org/registration/donate-your-registration/ or by making a gift to the African Astronomical Society. Please contact us at info@astronomy2024.org for more details.

 

Expression of Interest: Hosting Astronomers Across Africa

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Expression of Interest: Hosting Astronomers Across Africa

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity tied to the upcoming International Astronomical Union General Assembly in 2024 (IAU GA 2024), which offers a unique chance for people from all over the world to connect with counterparts in Africa for education, outreach and research collaborations. As we prepare for the first IAU General Assembly on the African continent (scheduled for 6 – 15 August 2024 in Cape Town), part of our objective is to foster networking opportunities, shed light on the potential career prospects in this field, and to engage as many individuals as possible to raise awareness in Africa about the captivating world of astronomy. To achieve this we need a collective effort and participation from all quarters.

In this context, the Outreach and Education Committee and the Science Committee for the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and the IAU GA 2024 are seeking organisations willing to host international guests for science, outreach and education activities during the month of August 2024; before, during, and after the IAU General Assembly.

Our guests will be traveling from across the globe to attend the IAU GA 2024 in Cape Town. We want to offer them the chance to visit other African countries and various cities in South Africa for science collaborations, education and outreach activities and general networking opportunities, not to mention sharing the beauty of our continent with them.

This presents an incredible opportunity to create a real impact, inspiring communities to ensure that the benefits of astronomy and scientific exploration are accessible to all. We invite organisations and institutions interested in hosting astronomers, and who are passionate about enhancing scientific literacy, to join us in this meaningful initiative. Together, we can spark curiosity, foster learning, and unlock the potential of young minds throughout Africa.

If you’re interested in becoming a host, kindly complete the expression of interest form. Hosts will be selected by the African Astronomical Society and the GA 2024 National Organising Committee. For any inquiries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at outreach@astronomy2024.org

© 2024 IAU General Assembly 2024 – Cape Town