Discover the Universe with NASA Four hundred years ago, Galileo Galilei kicked off a new age of astronomy when he first used his rudimentary telescope to study the Moon and the planets of our solar system. To honor his groundbreaking discoveries, the International Astronomical Union and the United Nations declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. NASA's Solar System Exploration website is joining dozens of other organizations across the planet to provide resources and opportunities to participate as we carry Galileo's spirit of exploration into the 21st Century. More Themes

2009 International Year of Astronomy Events Our interactive calendar is filled with upcoming launches, mission events, anniversaries, celestial happenings and even the birthdays of some of the key figures in space exploration history. Share Your Sky Stories The 2009 Interational Year of Astronomy is all about getting out and appreciating the wonders of our night sky just as Galileo did 400 years ago. We've set aside an area of the site for everyone to share their observation experiences -- whether its really looking up for the first time this year or a special memory of a summer night under the stars with friends or family. Teach Dawn Bring the excitement of the first spacecraft mission to the main asteroid belt into your classroom. The Dawn mission team has assembled a variety of educational products for home and school, including online interactive simulations, teacher guides and activities, suggested assessments and other opportunities. DPS 2009 Planetary scientists will meet in Fajardo, Puerto Rico in October 2009 for the 41st annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society.

08.12.09 - 08.13.09 Perseids Meteor Shower Peak 08.24.09 20th Anniversary, Voyager 2: Neptune Flyby (Closest Approach) 08.27.09 (11:42 UT) First Quarter Moon 08.28.09 - 08.28.08 1st Anniversary, TESTING 09.01.09 30th Anniversary, Pioneer 11: Saturn Flyby 09.08.09 5th Anniversary, Genesis: Samples Return to Earth 09.12.09 (06:39:42 UT) 50th Anniversary, Luna 2: Launch 09.13.09 15th Anniversary, Ulysses: Maximum South Solar Latitude (-80.2 Degrees)