Augusto Damineli Brazilian SPoC

Population: 190 million

IAU2009 GA: Rio de Janeiro

~300 Researchers35% Women

Modern phase of Astronomy started in 1972 Grouth rate: 15% per year

Brazilian Astronomical

Society: main coordinator

4 Areas (coordinators):4 Areas (coordinators):

ResearchResearch SchoolsSchools

Science centersScience centers AmateursAmateurs

Research: Research: 1. To develop a strategic plan for the Brazilian

Astronomy: observational and computational facilities, professional training, science education and diffusion

2. Talks on recent large impact developments in Astronomy: Physicists and students, educated public

3. Talks on broad view Astronomical subjects, History and key problems: general public

SchoolsSchools1. To improve the communication with teachers in

public schools - Brazilian Astronomy Olimpiad (this year Xth OBA – 4,891 schools, 36,487 teachers, 345,657 students)

2. To distribute experimental kitts to be used for kids in public schools (no Internet access in public schools) One laptop per kid (OLP) program => good opportunity

3. To bring the International Olimpiad of Astronomy to Brazil in 2009

Science diffusionScience diffusion1. To develop & distribute Astronomy programs

for planetariums and science centers, specially the movie on the History of the Telescope (Plan. Soc.)

2. Talks on the LA Indian Astronomy in all planetariums/science centres (the dark constellations => the impressive Milky Way in S. Hem.)

3. Mega show with popular songs inspired in Astronomical themes – Rio IAU2009 GA

AmateursAmateurs1. Manpower: main source of people trained at a

fundamental level for observations

2. Connecting Brazilian amateurs in a network (presently 70 Nodes, expected >100)

3. To put 1,000,000 people looking through a telescope in 2009

4. To increase the number of (small) public observatories and trained amateurs