Astronomers Without Borders

Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) is a U.S.-based organization founded by Mike Simmons, dedicated to spreading astronomy throughout the world and connecting people through this universal interest. Projects include crowdfunding in developed countries to sponsor the purchase of equipment and training for people in developing countries. The group's aim is to create "goodwill and understanding" across all boundaries through the sharing of astronomy.[1]

Astronomers Without Borders
MottoOne People, One Sky
FormationMay 15, 2009 (2009-05-15)
Type501(c)(3)
HeadquartersCalabasas, California
Founder & President
Mike Simmons
Anousheh Ansari
Tim DeBenedictis
Roy McCord
Tom Meneghini
Farah Payan
Scott Roberts
Babak Sedehi
John Spencer
Babak Tafreshi
Websiteastronomerswithoutborders.org

The group was founded in 2007,[2] and achieved official tax-free status in 2009,[3] which was the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). AWB sponsored several events that year, including The World At Night (TWAN), and assisted in the IYA2009's Global Cornerstone Project 100 Hours of Astronomy. Utilizing important historical and natural settings across the globe, The World at Night created wide-angle images of the sky, in order to show the universality of star-gazing. 100 Hours of Astronomy ran April 2–5, 2009, the goal of which was to get as many people across the world to look through optical telescopes.[4] The World at Night was the idea of Babak A. Tafreshi, the editor of Iran's Nojum Magazine, at the time the only astronomy magazine in the Middle East.[2]

As a followup to 100 Hours of Astronomy, the group has organized Global Astronomy Month every April since 2010.[5]

References
  1. Eagle, David (2013). From Casual Stargazer to Amateur Astronomer. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 246. ISBN 1461487668.
  2. "The World At Night" (PDF). Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal. International Astronomical Union. 2: 17–20. February 2008. Bibcode:2008CAPJ....2...17S.
  3. "Astronomers Without Borders Inc". Charity Navigator. Archived from the original on 2016-12-22. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  4. "The Role of Astronomy in Society and Culture". Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. International Astronomical Union. 5 (S260): 438–441. January 2009.
  5. "Global Astronomy Month begins 1 April". Astronomy Now. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
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