2009 was the International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009), a year-long celebration that marked the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations by Galileo Galilei through a telescope, and the publication of Johannes Kepler’s Astronomia nova in 1609.
Nilesh Vayada, founder-promoter of GTM, represented India at a Sidewalk Astronomy event organised by Astronomers Without Borders. He was also involved in various other events held around IYA 2009:
Dawn of the IYA 2009: A global solar observation campaign to create awareness about our star, the Sun.
100 Hours of Astronomy : An initiative that brought together over 100 countries in a planet-wide celebration of astronomy. Nilesh was national coordinator for International Sidewalk Astronomy Night in India.
Member of IYA 2009 Solar Physics Group: A task group set up to communicate the link between the Sun and the rest of the Universe through solar-related events for IYA 2009.
International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN): A programme to enable enthusiasts to observe details on the moon’s surface and answer their queries.
