News

  The Sunspot Number, the longest scientific experiment still ongoing, is a crucial tool used to study the solar dynamo, space weather and climate change. It has now been recalibrated and shows a consistent history of solar activity over the past few centuries. The new record has no significant long-term …

  The International Astronomical Union (IAU) will host its triennial 2015 General Assembly from 3–14 August. In addition to welcoming over 2500 astronomers from 75 countries, the conference will also offer several events for the local community, free and open to the public.

  The MESSENGER Education and Public Outreach (EPO) Team has announced the winners from its competition to name five impact craters on Mercury after artists. Winners were selected by the IAU from 3600 submitted names.

  The NameExoWorlds contest, organised by the IAU and Zooniverse, is now entering its next stage. The 20 most popular ExoWorlds have been made available for naming proposals from registered clubs and non-profit organisations.

  Focused on limiting energy waste through the reduction of light pollution and highlighting the importance of the preservation of dark night skies, the International Astronomical Union today launches the Cosmic Light programme, joining the global celebrations of the International Year of Light 2015.

  For the first two weeks of August, Hawaii will be the centre of the Universe when more than 3500 astronomers from at least 75 countries gather in Honolulu for the XXIX General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Expected to be the largest professional astronomy conference since the …

  In partnership with NASA’s New Horizons mission and the SETI Institute, the IAU is endorsing a campaign that will allow the public to participate in naming newly discovered features on Pluto and its satellites. It is expected that many new features will be discovered in the upcoming flyby of …

  The first ever contest allowing members of the public to name ExoWorlds begins its first round today, offering the registered clubs and non-profit organisations the chance to nominate their favourite systems to take through to the next rounds.