Astronomy not only explores the universe but promotes, among others, gender equity, mental well-being, entrepreneurship, employment, and skills development. A new article published in Nature Astronomy underscores how the exploration of the universe is not only scientifically compelling but also socially and economically beneficial. The comment titled “Astronomy as a strategic driver for sustainable development” […]
Category Archives: astrotourism
17
Jun
Jun
In the recent issue of the IAU Office of Outreach’s Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal (CAP Journal), it is demonstrated how astronomy outreach can be a powerful tool for driving societal change. One standout article, “Navigating New Frontiers: Developing an Evaluation Model for a Local and Civic-Led Outreach Project in Mexico” by Ana Magdalena […]
21
Apr
Apr
Members of the OAD team participated in the National Astro-Tourism Broader Stakeholder Workshop held on 2–3 April 2025 in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, South Africa. Hosted by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the workshop focused on the implementation of South Africa’s Astro-Tourism Strategy. The two-day event brought together stakeholders […]
astrotourism, Flagship 1
Culture, Astronomy, and Community. A conversation with a Social Anthropologist.
11
Apr
Apr
For the April edition of the Full Moon Mashup series, we had a deeply reflective session on Culture, Astronomy, and Community with Dr. Hanna Nieber, a social anthropologist. Dr Nieber is and Anthropologist from the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology and visited the OAD for 3 weeks. Dr. Nieber, whose ethnographic research explores how […]
04
Apr
Apr
The convergence of astronomy and anthropology illuminates humanity’s longstanding utilisation of the night sky as a cultural, spiritual, and practical guide. Through the discipline of archaeoastronomy, we gain insights into ancient structures such as Stonehenge, which exhibit alignments with celestial phenomena, underscoring the profound comprehension of the cosmos possessed by early civilisations. Ethnoastronomy delves into […]