Global Astronomy Month (GAM), is organized every year in April by the SPACE India in collaboration with the International Organization Astronomers Without Borders (AWB), with an aim to unite enthusiasts worldwide in celebrating Astronomy following the motto – “One People, One Sky”. Throughout this month, SPACE offers a range of astronomy programs to the general public and students in an effort to promote astronomy worldwide.
Conduct and participate in Astronomy events to promote Astronomy with The SPACE India and Astronomers Without Borders. Participate in the virtual online observations, Astro-Art contest, Astro-Poetry contest, and many more such competitions, events, projects and receive amazing rewards!
Activity Description
SPACE India proposes a bouquet of GAM and general astronomy programs to associated schools. Schools conduct events in categories such as Observing events with Global Star Parties and ‘Sunday’, Virtual online programs, Astroart, and Astropoetry contests. Several students in the past have won prizes in GAM Astropoetry and Astroart competitions internationally. Many students contributed and clicked stunning Astrophotographs. Several schools have been logging in for the Virtual telescope observations. SPACE India has been initiating awards to schools annually for different categories like Maximum Number of Activities, Most Innovative Activity, and Largest Gathering at a single activity.
Beginning in 2012, SPACE-affiliated schools have gained recognition for their extensive social media activity and publishing throughout the past few years.
Learning Outcomes and Benefits to Schools: SPACE-associated schools have been conducting exciting events during GAM to promote participation. Even very young students have joined online observation programs. Students build skills in event planning and conduction and learn the science behind each event. Schools use GAM as an opportunity to invite parents, to showcase their clubs.
Current Programme
All schools are encouraged to conduct or complete one or more of these astronomy events in April to popularize astronomy in their schools. Schools are requested to register all the events with SPACE a week prior to the conduction date and submit an event report within 3 days of completion of the event so that SPACE can publicize the event on GAM and elsewhere.
The compiled report of Global Astronomy Month for the whole month should be submitted by 25th April 2023. Out of the gamut of activities proposed this year, SPACE has selected activities under different categories for our associated schools.
We encourage schools to conduct one or more activities for their students and submit the reports to SPACE. The reports will be further sent by us to GAM/AWB.
Register your planned events here by 25th April 2023
The complete list of activities with dates, submission links and guides can be found below.
S.No.
Activity Name
Activity Type
Date
Description
1
Astro Art Competition
Competition
1st – 25th April
Submit the best paintings in each category on any astronomy, night sky, or space-related subject. The 4 Categories are Young Children : 7yrs and under, Youth : 8yrs – 12yrs, Teen : 13yrs – 17yrs, Adults : 18yrs+. How to submit: Art title/ caption the Art in 30-35 words. Write your name, Class, School, mobile number and email address where you can be contacted, and your category in the bottom right corner of the painting.
(Guide)
2
Astro Poetry Competition
Competition
1st – 25th April
Submit the best poems in each age category per school, in word/text format – about any astronomy, night sky, or space-related subject. Categories are Children – ages 8-12, Young adults – ages 13-17, Adults – ages 18+.
(Guide)
3
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
Observation
11th April
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches its aches greatest eastern elongation of 19.5 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest and point aborts the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
4
Lyrids Meteor Shower
Observation
22nd- 23rd April
The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from 16th – 25th April. It peaks this year on the night of the 22nd and the morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds.
5
Sun Day
Observation
24th or 25th April
Observe the Sun, our star with various safe methods to appreciate its presence and importance. Host a solar observing event, click pictures, and share it with the world. The detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
6
International Dark Sky Week
Observation
22nd– 30th April
Host a star party for your family to introduce the idea of preserving a dark night sky or evaluate your own lighting to make sure that it is dark friendly to raise awareness of how poor- quality lighting creates light pollution. Talk to neighbors about how to conserve light. Share your contribution and experience with us on various social media platforms using various hashtags. Detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
7
Yuri’s Night Celebration
Celebration
12th April
An international celebration is held on every April 12th to commemorate milestones in space exploration. It is named after Yuri Gagarin, the first human to launch into space on April 12th, 1961 in Vostok Capsule. Draw to celebrate the first human in Space. The detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
8
Earth Day Celebrations
Celebration
22nd April
Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April. On this day, various events worldwide are held to celebrate the planet’s environment and raise public awareness about pollution. The detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
9
Aryabhata: Remembering India’s First Artificial Satellite
Celebration
19th April
Aryabhata was India’s first satellite, named after the first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy. Aryabhata was launched by India on 19 April 1975. In this students can participate in a model making competition of Aryabhata and have an essay competition, quiz, PPT on the highlights of Aryabhata launch. Share your contribution and experience with us and the world on various social media platforms using various hashtags.
10
Celebrating the Hubble
Celebration
24th April
Celebrating the Existence of Hubble Space Telescope by making model or recoding a video highlighting the importance and significance of the telescope. The submitted piece will be highlighted on our social media pages.
11
Globe at Night
Celebration
1st to 31st April
Globe at Night is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen scientists to measure & submit their night sky brightness observations. For more info – https://www.globeatnight.org/
(Guide)
Share your contribution and experience with us and the world on various social media platforms using various hashtags.
YouTube: Upload the video and share the link on Facebook and Twitter
Details
Particulars.
Description
Registration
Register your events starting 1st April and by 25th April
Report
Submit the report with in 3 days of conduction date
Last Date to send the Reports
25th April, 2023
Awards Categories (For Schools)
Append SPACE India to your school name while posting (ex. SPACE India – Bal Bharati Public School, Location, city).
Facebook: @SpaceIndiaEdu, #SPACEIndia, #GAM2023 Twitter: @Spacian, #SPACEIndia , @gam_awb, #GAM2023 YouTube: Upload the video and share the link on Facebook and Twitter.
Announcement Date of Award Winners
1- Maximum Number of Activities performed Based on reports submitted for each event conducted or a final report listing all events, NOT based on initial registration.
2- Most Innovative Activity Based on reports submitted for each event and the month-end report with new and innovative ideas.
Certificates
The first week of June, 2023.
All the winning individuals and institutions with the complete report will receive an appreciation certificate.
Global Astronomy Month
Overview
Global Astronomy Month (GAM), is organized every year in April by the SPACE India in collaboration with the International Organization Astronomers Without Borders (AWB), with an aim to unite enthusiasts worldwide in celebrating Astronomy following the motto – “One People, One Sky”. Throughout this month, SPACE offers a range of astronomy programs to the general public and students in an effort to promote astronomy worldwide.
Conduct and participate in Astronomy events to promote Astronomy with The SPACE India and Astronomers Without Borders. Participate in the virtual online observations, Astro-Art contest, Astro-Poetry contest, and many more such competitions, events, projects and receive amazing rewards!
Activity Description
SPACE India proposes a bouquet of GAM and general astronomy programs to associated schools. Schools conduct events in categories such as Observing events with Global Star Parties and ‘Sunday’, Virtual online programs, Astroart, and Astropoetry contests. Several students in the past have won prizes in GAM Astropoetry and Astroart competitions internationally. Many students contributed and clicked stunning Astrophotographs. Several schools have been logging in for the Virtual telescope observations. SPACE India has been initiating awards to schools annually for different categories like Maximum Number of Activities, Most Innovative Activity, and Largest Gathering at a single activity.
Beginning in 2012, SPACE-affiliated schools have gained recognition for their extensive social media activity and publishing throughout the past few years.
Learning Outcomes and Benefits to Schools: SPACE-associated schools have been conducting exciting events during GAM to promote participation. Even very young students have joined online observation programs. Students build skills in event planning and conduction and learn the science behind each event. Schools use GAM as an opportunity to invite parents, to showcase their clubs.
Current Programme
All schools are encouraged to conduct or complete one or more of these astronomy events in April to popularize astronomy in their schools. Schools are requested to register all the events with SPACE a week prior to the conduction date and submit an event report within 3 days of completion of the event so that SPACE can publicize the event on GAM and elsewhere.
The compiled report of Global Astronomy Month for the whole month should be submitted by 25th April 2023. Out of the gamut of activities proposed this year, SPACE has selected activities under different categories for our associated schools.
We encourage schools to conduct one or more activities for their students and submit the reports to SPACE. The reports will be further sent by us to GAM/AWB.
Register your planned events here by 25th April 2023
The complete list of activities with dates, submission links and guides can be found below.
Submit the best paintings in each category on any astronomy, night sky, or space-related subject. The 4 Categories are Young Children : 7yrs and under, Youth : 8yrs – 12yrs, Teen : 13yrs – 17yrs, Adults : 18yrs+. How to submit: Art title/ caption the Art in 30-35 words. Write your name, Class, School, mobile number and email address where you can be contacted, and your category in the bottom right corner of the painting.
(Guide)
Submit the best poems in each age category per school, in word/text format – about any astronomy, night sky, or space-related subject. Categories are Children – ages 8-12, Young adults – ages 13-17, Adults – ages 18+.
(Guide)
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches its aches greatest eastern elongation of 19.5 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest and point aborts the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.
The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from 16th – 25th April. It peaks this year on the night of the 22nd and the morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds.
Observe the Sun, our star with various safe methods to appreciate its presence and importance. Host a solar observing event, click pictures, and share it with the world. The detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
Host a star party for your family to introduce the idea of preserving a dark night sky or evaluate your own lighting to make sure that it is dark friendly to raise awareness of how poor- quality lighting creates light pollution. Talk to neighbors about how to conserve light. Share your contribution and experience with us on various social media platforms using various hashtags. Detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
An international celebration is held on every April 12th to commemorate milestones in space exploration. It is named after Yuri Gagarin, the first human to launch into space on April 12th, 1961 in Vostok Capsule. Draw to celebrate the first human in Space. The detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April. On this day, various events worldwide are held to celebrate the planet’s environment and raise public awareness about pollution. The detailed plan is in the activity sheet.
(Guide)
Aryabhata was India’s first satellite, named after the first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy. Aryabhata was launched by India on 19 April 1975. In this students can participate in a model making competition of Aryabhata and have an essay competition, quiz, PPT on the highlights of Aryabhata launch. Share your contribution and experience with us and the world on various social media platforms using various hashtags.
Celebrating the Existence of Hubble Space Telescope by making model or recoding a video highlighting the importance and significance of the telescope. The submitted piece will be highlighted on our social media pages.
Globe at Night is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen scientists to measure & submit their night sky brightness observations. For more info – https://www.globeatnight.org/
(Guide)
Share your contribution and experience with us and the world on various social media platforms using various hashtags.
Facebook: @SpaceIndiaEdu, #SPACEIndia, #GAM2023
Twitter: @Spacian, #SPACEIndia , @gam_awb, #GAM2023
YouTube: Upload the video and share the link on Facebook and Twitter
Details
Register your events starting 1st April and by 25th April
Submit the report with in 3 days of conduction date
Append SPACE India to your school name while posting (ex. SPACE India – Bal Bharati Public School, Location, city).
Facebook: @SpaceIndiaEdu, #SPACEIndia, #GAM2023
Twitter: @Spacian, #SPACEIndia , @gam_awb, #GAM2023
YouTube: Upload the video and share the link on Facebook and Twitter.
Award Winners
1- Maximum Number of Activities performed
Based on reports submitted for each event conducted or a final report listing all events, NOT based on initial registration.
2- Most Innovative Activity
Based on reports submitted for each event and the month-end report with new and innovative ideas.
Achievements
GAM 2023 AstroArt Contest Winners:
GAM 2023 AstroPoetry Contest Winners:
GAM 2022 AstroArt Contest Winners:
Gallery
Media
Press Release