StarPeace Project
Star parties at borders to show science has no borders.
The StarPeace Project is a global special project first organized in conjunction with the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. Participants held public star parties near a border of their country with a neighboring country, aiming to demonstrate that borders are man-made and that science has no borders. The project is notable for using astronomy as a tool to promote regional peace and harmony, and for encouraging cooperation between astronomy groups in different countries.
- First organized
- 2009
- Organizers
- Astronomical Society of Iran and Sky Peace Organization
- Core team members
- Mohammad J. Torabi, Irene Shivaei, Kazem Kookaram, Hooman Najafi, Siavash Saffarian Pour
- Countries involved
- more than 30
- Advisor
- Anousheh Ansari
- Affiliated with
- Yuri's Night
Lore & Background
The StarPeace Project was first organized in conjunction with the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. Its opening event took place between Iran and the United Arab Emirates: on the first two nights of that year, Iranian astronomers held public star parties on Qeshm Island, south of Iran, attracting around 500 people, while a similar stargazing party in Dubai drew more than 150 people. Another event took place between India and Pakistan on February 9 during a penumbral lunar eclipse, with an Indian astronomy group in Bhuj and a Pakistani group in Lahore holding observing nights and astronomy speeches in SOS Children's Villages for young children. In 2010, events were ongoing.
Reader's Guide
The StarPeace Project is significant for its direct application of astronomy to social goals. According to the source article, its vision includes encouraging astronomy groups in one country to cooperate with those in neighboring countries, creating a network of active groups in that region. It aims to give particular encouragement to the growth and survival of astronomy groups in developing countries. The project uses star parties as a means of increasing scientific awareness and improving knowledge of astronomy through talks and photographs. It also seeks to make a contribution towards regional peace and harmony, and to provide an opportunity for people to use astronomical equipment they might not otherwise have encountered. The project is organized by the Astronomical Society of Iran and the Sky Peace Organization, with a core team from Iran and collaborators in more than 30 countries. Anousheh Ansari, the first woman from the Middle East and first Iranian to go into space, serves as an advisor. The project is affiliated with Yuri's Night, named after the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin.
Did You Know?
- Its opening event took place between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, with star parties on Qeshm Island and in Dubai.
- Anousheh Ansari, the first self-funded woman to fly to the International Space Station, is an advisor to the project.
- A StarPeace event between India and Pakistan occurred on February 9 during a penumbral lunar eclipse.
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