International Year of Astronomy 2009

The International Year of Astronomy is a year-long celebration of astronomy, taking place in 2009 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations with a telescope by Galileo Galilei and the publication of Johannes Kepler's Astronomia nova in the 17th century. The Year was declared by the 62nd General Assembly of the UN. A global scheme, laid out by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), has also been endorsed by UNESCO - the UN body responsible for Educational, Scientific and Cultural matters. This initiative is an opportunity for the citizens of Earth to gain a deeper insight into astronomy’s role in enriching all human cultures. Moreover, it will serve as a platform for informing the public about the latest astronomical discoveries while emphasizing the essential role of astronomy in science education.

Science Fair Project Information
Title: Build Your Own Telescope
Subject: Astronomy
Grade level: Middle School Grades 7-9
Academic Level: Ordinary
Project Type: Building Type
Cost: Low
Affiliation: Fun Science Gallery
Description: This is a simple and cheap telescope allows the learning, structure and operation of telescopes in general. Although it is simple, it can reveal the craters of the Moon and the satellites of Jupiter. It is also very useful for demonstrating lens aberrations.
Link: http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/tele/tele.htm