Posts Tagged ‘astronomy outreach’

The Race for Space!

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

There is a race for Space, and it’s taking place right here on Earth. With this year’s Shorty Awards, we have a golden opportunity to put Space front-and-center … a position that has the potential to encourage greater participation in Space-related sciences, to promote the various Space programs, and even simply to remind people to “look up.”

Currently, there are several Space Tweeps in the running for a Shorty Award. You can help Space win the Shorty race by casting and encouraging votes for each, in their respective categories.   The nominees include NASA, SDO, astronauts Mike Massimino and TJ Creamer, Twitter ISS Alerts, Universe Today’s Nancy Atkinson, Journalist Miles O’Brien, Space Shuttle technician Jen Scheer, the AstronomyFM website, MeteorWatch founder Newbury Astronomy, and astronomy outreach enthusiast Tavi Greiner (that’s me!).

I’ve compiled a hyperlinked list to make voting a little easier.  Simply click on the various links, select the appropriate category from the little dropdown (this is important!),  state your reason for voting, and click “Tweet Your Vote.”  You can vote for more than one tweep in each category (such as the three in #science), but only once per tweep per category.

NASA in #government … Vote Here

NASA_SDO (SDO) in #science … Vote Here

twisst (Twitter ISS Alerts) in #science … Vote Here

FlyingJenny (Jen Scheer) in #science  … Vote Here

Nancy_A (Nancy Atkinson) in #journalist … Vote Here

TaviGreiner (that’s me) in #education … Vote Here

Astro_Mike (Mike Massimino) in #travel … Vote Here

Astro_TJ (TJ Creamer) in #tech … Vote Here

Miles O’Brien in #journalist … Vote Here

Astronomy.FM in #astronomy … Vote Here

NewburyAS (Newbury Astronomy) in #science … Vote Here

* If you know of any other SpaceTweeps in other categories, please share them in the comments section and I’ll add them to the list.

A Short Word on Awards – the Shorty Awards, That Is

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Last week, I was nominated by a friend, Waddell Robey, for a Shorty Award in the #education category.  For a couple of days, others followed his lead and I made a short, fun run in the top ten.  I was even in second place at one point.  But, as is the case with so many things, the initial buzz died down and I am now somewhere around 15th place.

Of course, I’ve never had any illusions of winning a Shorty Award.  In fact, I am completely (but pleasantly) surprised for the votes that I have received.  There are so many others far more deserving than I, and I do hope that their work is acknowledged with an award.  Nonetheless, I am grateful to those who have voted for me, and I am humbled by the recognition.

The truly exciting thing about all of this is not that I, Tavi Greiner, have been nominated for an award.  It is the fact that, in my nomination, astronomy outreach is being acknowledged as education!

So often, astronomy is misunderstood to be a hobby – as simply playing with telescopes or looking at the moon.  But, astronomy is much more than merely turning our gaze skyward.  It is to gain a fundamental understanding of the truth of all other things – of life itself.  The more we learn about the world beyond our planet, the greater our capacity to affect the world in which we live.  So, when I encourage others to “look up”, I am not merely suggesting we “ooh” and “ahh” at the pretty stars, I am hoping to spark a curiosity to look beyond the beauty, to learn more about the what, why, and how.

I hadn’t thought to campaign for myself for a Shorty Award.  But, the thought of astronomy outreach being formally acknowledged as #education has me considering a serious run.  Imagine the new eyes that could be opened, the interest that could be triggered, the statement that would be made, should astronomy walk away with a Shorty Award.  Oh, the possibilities!

To those who’ve cast a vote my way: a sincere thank you – its great knowing that others are “looking up” with me!  To everyone who appreciates the significance of astronomy’s greater role in education: perhaps you’ll consider an #education vote for me, or even another astronomy-focused tweep.  You can also help to promote Space in other categories by casting votes for @flyingjenny and @NewburyAS in the #science category and a vote for @NASA in the #government category!

Webcast Archive: “MoonWalking with Rob Self-Pierson”

Friday, December 18th, 2009

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12/23/2009 Update: Video archive of this webcast can be found here.

Throughout billions of years, the Moon has held an intrinsic practical and emotional bond with our planet.  Sadly, we are losing the human connection as we keep our eyes fixed on the material and social noise of today’s world.

Every once in a while, something special comes along to remind us to pause and look up at Luna, to consider that constant, though oft-forgot, guidepost for all living things on Earth.

We are proud to announce our next AFM*Radio special event, an audio/visual presentation, Moon-Walking with Rob Self-PiersonJoin us next Tuesday night, Dec. 23 0100 UTC (Dec. 22 8pm ET), when Rob Self-Pierson stops by to discuss his “MoonWalking” experiences and his upcoming Blue Moon Walk.  We’ll feature images, video, an interactive chatroom, and details about how you can participate in commemorating the last Blue Moon of this decade!