Highlights from the July Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science newsletter, the COPUS Clarion, (available online at

1. This month, Year of Science participants are celebrating Astronomy!

Many thanks to the U.S. team for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) for putting together amazing content in celebration of July's theme -- Astronomy!

* Enjoy a short highlight video on the significance of the International Year of Astronomy by Brian Malow, the Science Comedian.

* Watch John F. Kennedy's historic speech that inspired Apollo's mission to the moon and sign up to experience a real-time visual and audio recreation of the moon landing.

* Read blog posts from Jarita Holbrook, professor at University of Arizona, and Douglas Isbell, U.S. national single-point-of-contact for the International Year of Astronomy.

* Enter the Earth and Sky Photo Contest

* Meet three, fabulous astronomer scientists and ask them questions about what it is like to work as a scientist

* Test your knowledge of the galaxy in the Way Out: A Cosmic Trivia Quiz

* Play fun games


AND TONS MORE... http://www.yearofscience2009.org/home/



2. Feature Article from the COPUS Clarion: The International Year of Astronomy 2009

400 years ago, Galileo looked upward with his spyskope and discovered astronomical wonders that would forever change how we view the universe. In this month's COPUS Clarion, Mary Dussault (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) and Denise Smith (Space Telescope Science Institute) reflect on the role that Galileo and the telescope played in making the universe - and science - accessible to all people. Additionally, the article features an incredible number of resources and activities for each of us to explore in celebration of astronomy. Learn more by reading this month's Clarion:


3. Don't forget to check out July's downloadable resources:

- One Page handout to highlight the Astronomy theme of the Year of Science in your business, classroom, library, museum, facility. One side is blank for your own organizational YoS message!


- Understanding Science Flow Chart as an 18" x 24" poster.
http://www.yearofscience2009.org/about/us_poster_vert_1_13.pdf