bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How, precisely, can astronomy be of benefit to anyone?
Authors: Jones Bernard J. T. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAstronomy as an observational science is technology driven both from the point of view of data acquisition and of data processing and visualisation. Astronomy exploits a very wide base of technologies which are developed, enhanced and extended by users. Consequently, astronomy can return new and enhanced technologies to areas well outside of astronomy itself. My own hi-tech company, Astraguard, a video imaging company, is a small but significant example of that technology return. Astronomy can provide both know-how and people for a diverse variety of areas: security, industrial process control, medical and biological imaging, petrochemicals, databases, and the financial industries to name but a few. It is unfortunate that those who teach astronomy are generally not aware of these possibilities.In this lecture I hope to take a first step towards showing what is possible. I hope to convince the reader that astronomy education, at all levels, can play a significant role in career development outside of astronomy and in higher education in developing countries.
The role of astronomy and space sciences in Arab societies and cultures
Authors: Al-Naimiy Hamid M. K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAstronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences (AASS) play an effective rôle in Sciences, Technology and Community Development. Unfortunately, a small percentage of this knowledge is actually used in teaching at schools, universities and other academic institutions in Arab countries. The challenge is to provide effective professional development for AASS educators and researchers at all levels, from elementary school to university.There is an urgent need for a better communication channels among Arab astronomers and space scientists nowadays. In this respect, the best choice is to identify in the vast cultural heritage of the Arab basin, particularly in astronomy. Building modern and good observatories, planetariums and research centres in the region jointly by Arab astronomers and space scientists is essential and will be an excellent step towards developing AASS. The aim of this paper is to show the importance of the formal and informal astronomical research and education, giving examples of possible astronomical projects, and comments of the experiences that have been carried out in a few Arab Countries. We show as well the importance of the Astronomical Societies in developing Science and Technology in the fields of AASS, and the role of these societies on the community and the country development.
Radio quiet, please! – protecting radio astronomy from interference
Authors: van Driel W. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe radio spectrum is a finite and increasingly precious resource for astronomical research, as well as for other spectrum users. Keeping the frequency bands used for radio astronomy as free as possible of unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is crucial. The aim of spectrum management, one of the tools used towards achieving this goal, includes setting regulatory limits on RFI levels emitted by other spectrum users into the radio astronomy frequency bands. This involves discussions with regulatory bodies and other spectrum users at several levels – national, regional and worldwide. The global framework for spectrum management is set by the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union, which has defined that interference is detrimental to radio astronomy if it increases the uncertainty of a measurement by 10%. The Radio Regulations are revised every three to four years, a process in which four organisations representing the interests of the radio astronomical community in matters of spectrum management (IUCAF, CORF, CRAF and RAFCAP) participate actively. The current interests and activities of these four organisations range from preserving what has been achieved through regulatory measures, to looking far into the future of high frequency use and giant radio telescope use.
Astronomy in the society and culture of Estonia
Authors: Leedjärv Laurits 
Published: June 2011

AbstractHistory and present state of astronomy in a small North-Eastern European country are considered. There is a rather big number (about 35) of professional astronomers in Estonia, including 21 IAU members. Through some outstanding persons, astronomy in Estonia has significant relations with the society. The same can be said about the culture. Well-developed astronomy has contributed into the cooperation of Estonia with the European Space Agency, and thus, has an indirect effect to the country's economy.
Educational aspects of cosmology Global Cosmology Teachers Academy
Authors: Smoot George F. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis IAU–UNESCO Symposium 260 ‘The role of Astronomy in Society and Culture’ celebrates the 400th anniversary of the beginning of modern astronomy marked by when Galileo turned a telescope to the sky making so many astounding discoveries that changed our perceived position in the solar system. This talk celebrates that cosmology has entered this era in an even deeper and profound discoveries that have changed our perception of the universe and our place in it. As such cosmology is a great interest and educational tool for capturing the attention of the young and broadening their perspective. The first portion of the talk outlines and reveals some of these observations and the second with examples and vision of how this can provide an encompassing storyline for STEM learning. This proceedings also emphasizes the key role that partnerships including the private sector are valuable, critical, and rewarding part of the effort.
International Schools for Young Astronomers Teaching for Astronomy Development: two programmes of the International Astronomical Union
Authors: Gerbaldi Michèle , DeGreve Jean-Pierre , Guinan Edward 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis text outlines the main features of two educational programmes of the International Astronomical Union (IAU): the International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA) and the Teaching for Astronomy Development programme (TAD), developed since 1967.The main goal of the International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA) is to support astronomy (education and research) in developing countries in organizing a 3-week School for students with typically M.Sc. degrees.The context in which the ISYA were developed changed drastically during the last decade. From a time when access to large telescopes was difficult and mainly organized on a nation-basis, nowadays the archives of astronomical data have accumulated at the same time that many major telescope become accessible, and they are accessible from everywhere, the concept of virtual observatory reinforcing this access.A second programme of the IAU, Teaching for Astronomy Development (TAD), partially based on a School, but also of shorter duration (typically one week) has a complementary objective. It is dedicated to assist countries that have little or no astronomical activity, but that wish to enhance their astronomy education. The fast development of the TAD programme over the past years is emphasized.
Status of Astronomy at Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Authors: Anguma Simon , Jurua Edward 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we describe the role astronomy has played in interesting students towards taking physics as a major subject during their final year in Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). This has resulted into some former students from MUST taking up postgraduate studies in Astrophysics and Space Science in South African Universities. The plans to strengthen and develop Astronomy in Uganda are also discussed, and in particular, the strategies for organizing the IYA2009 are outlined.
Astronomical education in Mongolia
Authors: Dulmaa A. , Tsolmon R. , Lkhagvajav Ch. , Jargalsuren Sh. , Bayartungalag B. , Zaya M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe history, current situation, education and future directions of modern Mongolian space science and astronomy is reviewed. This paper discusses recent efforts to develop astronomy education and research capacity in Mongolia with cooperation of the International Astronomical Union. Various capacity-building initiatives in space science including remote sensing in Mongolia are discussed.
Astronomy and space outreach new requirements for a new generation
Authors: Nolan Kevin 
Published: June 2011

AbstractShortcomings in current science outreach contribute to a disconnection between science and society; prompting new requirements in thinking about what science outreach is and how it is planned and implemented. It is proposed here that central to successful outreach should be focus on identifying and communicating value in, and the relevance of, science; rather than necessarily attempting to inspire interest in, or understanding of science. This, coupled to world coordinated identification of key science outreach directives, messages and plans point to more effective science outreach relevant to the global community.
STAR WEEK: A Successful Campaign in Japan
Authors: Watanabe Junichi 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA campaign of the Star Week, set as August 1 – 7, has been started in 1995 throughout various life-learning facilities. Astronomical facilities including planetariums, science museums, and public observatories has been participating in this campaign, together with amateur astronomers clubs or private observatories. More than 300 astronomical events such as star watching parties were coordinated for general public every year. The Star Week has been grown up to one of the most successful campaigns not only for for astronomy but also for basic sciences in Japan over this 15 years. In this paper, a brief history and the present status of the Star Week are introduced together with the with some statistics.
The gears of the Antikythera Mechanism: an educational pathfinder to the solar system
Authors: Moussas Xenophon , Bampasidis Georgios , Bitsakis Yanis , Tassios Theodosios , Anastasiou Magdalini , Efstathiou Kyriakos , Fasoulopoulos Georgios , Kioleoglou Isidoros , Edmunds Mike , Zafeiropoulou Mary , Roumeliotis Manos , Malzbender Tom , Ramsey Andrew , Kriaris Dionysios , Spandagos Evangelos , Giannopoulos Nikos , Porligi Amalia , Daniels Eleni , Wright Michael T. , Sabry Reem , El-Mikaty Hoda , Henriksson Göran , Munktell Ing-Marie , Vafea Flora , Koufos Stratos , Prassopoulos Dimitrios , Zafiropoulos Vasili , Karakonstantis Andreas , Aggeioplasti Katerina , Delidou Eleni , Papoulias Costas , Papoulias George , Haley Paul , Mimouni Jamal , Valls-Gabaud David , Biggs Matt , Chochol Drahomir , Szubiakowski Jacek , Plucinska Ela , Jacyno Anna , Kakouris Alexandros , Pal'uš Pavel , Jančušková Danica , Feriančiková Mária , Czart Krystof , Xenakis Nikos , Gkini Magda Evgenia , Perpyraki Eva , Tziannoudakis Leonidas , Antoniou Panagiotis 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Antikythera Mechanism is the most sophisticated extant ancient astronomical instrument and analogue computer known and was assembled sometime between 150 and 100 BCE, almost a century after the death of Archimedes. The mechanism has a great educational potential as it appeals to inquiring minds as an astonishing artefact of science and technology. The latest research findings reveal significant cultural and social functions in its operations. This astonishing astronomical instrument has a clear interdisciplinary valueand it has that it may be used as an educational medium, to engage the general public, and especially to attract students both to/from exact sciences and to/from the humanities. The astronomical and technical knowledge embedded in the mechanism can also be used to introduce some aspects of modern science through the unknown technological achievements of Hellenic antiquity.
The Megalithic civilisation in Switzerland, its society and its monuments
Authors: Maillard Pauline , Berti Jérôme 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Swiss megaliths, just like the English sites, hold an obvious interest for archaeology and astronomy. Within the sites located in Switzerland, the megaliths of Corcelles–Concise have some particular characteristics which are, in our opinion, relevant to point out. Indeed, using recent astronomical software, we have been able to attribute to this site a probable astronomical function. This lead us to wonder about the general use of this kind of location, with some insights on a cultual plan.
Promoting astronomy for the development of society in Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai Suresh , Neupane Sudeep 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAstronomy as one of the oldest sciences has influenced and spurred steady development of society and culture. Inherent superstitious beliefs and their related rituals that have been hampering the progress and prosperity of nations have been dispelled and reduced considerably through the promotion of astronomical activities at all levels of the society. For disseminating basic knowledge and logic of astronomical facts that were deemed important for the development of our society, various programmes have been conducted through mass media. Many talk programmes, seminars and star parties were organised in different places. Our experiences when planning and executing such programmes are summarised and illustrated. The effectiveness of our programmes with the participation of general public is discussed in detail. Positive results of our activities that have contributed towards creation of substantial awareness of astronomy for the development of our society in Nepal are explained.
Astronomical and space-based systems engineering
Authors: Mosser Benoît , Abergel Alain 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Master's degree “Outils et Systèmes de l'Astronomie et de l'Espace” (OSAE, “Astronomical and Space-based Systems Engineering”) is intended for students interested in Astronomy and Space technology. Students undergo a comprehensive training in partnership with international-level laboratories and with leading private companies. The degree provides physicists with a wide range of skills, appropriate for those whose intention is to participate in subsystems, equipment and engineering systems, and also for future project managers, working in the aerospace industry or similar technological industries or in national and European agencies. The 1-year course is given in collaboration with national and international institutions, laboratories and industries. It includes an extended training period (5 to 6 months) and a theoretical and practical specialization given by university and industrial teachers. It benefits from the network of laboratories associated with the Astronomy and Astrophysics doctorate school of the Île-de-France.
The Universe Observing Center a modern center to teach and communicate astronomy
Authors: Ribas Salvador J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Universe Observing Center is one of the parts of the Parc Astronòmic Montsec (PAM). PAM is an initiative of the Catalan government, through the Consorci del Montsec (Montsec Consortium), to take advantage of the capabilities and potential of the Montsec region to develop scientific research, training and outreach activities, particularly in the field of Astronomy. The choice of the Montsec mountains to install the PAM was motivated by the magnificent conditions for observing the sky at night; the sky above Montsec is the best (natural sky free of light pollution) in Catalonia for astronomical observations. The PAM has two main parts: the Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec (OAdM) and the Universe Observing Center (COU). The OAdM is a professional observatory with an 80-cm catadioptric telescope (Joan Oró Telescope). This telescope is a robotic telescope that can be controlled from anywhere in the world via the Internet. The COU is a large multipurpose center which is intended to become an educational benchmark for teaching and communicate astronomy and other sciences in Catalonia. The management of the COU has three main goals: 1) Teach primary and secondary school students in our Educational Training Camp. 2) Teach university students housing the practical astronomy lectures of the universities. 3) Communicate astronomy to the general public. The COU comprises special areas for these purposes: the Telescopes Park with more than 20 telescopes, a coelostat for solar observations and two dome containing full-automated telescopes. The most special equipment is “The Eye of Montsec”, with its 12m dome containing a multimedia digital planetarium and a platform for direct observation of the sky and the environment. During 2009 we expect around 10000 visitors in Montsec area to enjoy science with Montsec dark skies and an special natural environment.
The “Ciel, miroir des cultures” exhibition: a three-year awareness campaign on the sky as a mirror of cultures
Authors: Las Vergnas Olivier , Piednoël Eric , Gautier Gérard 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Ciel, miroir des cultures poster-exhibition was designed by the Association Française d'Astronomie and printed in 300 copies in 2005. Each copy is composed of 14 posters introducing the different ways human beings and societies have used the sky and the heavens in history. More than three hundred cultural events have now been using the exhibition in schools and community structures as public libraries and social centres, taking place mainly in low-income urban or suburban neighbourhoods. This three-year work demonstrated the relevance of this kind of tools and events to pedagogical and social aims, specifically if the event is not limited to showing posters and also offers an opportunity for dialogue.
Encounters with physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology at La Universidad de Los Andes: One way to make ours astronomy
Authors: Naranjo Orlando A. , Rosenzweig Patricia , Escalona Orlando B. , Reinoso Edgar Guzmán , Bocaranda Pablo , Echeverría Raúl , Aguirre Félix 
Published: June 2011

AbstractEncounters with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology are carried out at the Universidad de Los Andes (Mérida, Venezuela) since 2000. The main purpose is that the minds of young people get familiarised with science and astronomy, through a well-established relationship linking universities and research centres with schools.
Preserving our sky heritage
Authors: Bonavitacola Michel , Le Gué Alain 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe briefly relate the story of the fight against light pollution in France and make a projection into the future. Following the steps of Jean Kovalevsky who was the initiator of the protection of the astronomical sites in France, a few French amateur astronomers began the fight against light pollution in the 1990s. After a first conference for the night environmental protection in 1995 in Rodez, the second conference in 1998 creates the national association which will become in 2007 the National association for the Protection of the Sky and the Night Environment (ANPCEN). In 2008 light pollution is formally identified, by law, as a problem. Since 2005 the LICORNESS association continues to promote research on the impacts of light on the biotopes while protecting the astronomical sites.
Seeing the stolen starlight with Herschel
Authors: Gomez Haley L. , Gomez Edward L. , Hargrave Peter 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe Herschel Space Observatory is ESA's fourth Cornerstone mission and will be the largest, most sensitive telescope ever put into space. It will be the first space observatory to observe from the far-infrared to the submillimetre waveband, unveiling the cool, hidden universe for the first time. Herschel will observe stars and galaxies at the stage of formation and discover where all the cosmic dust polluting galaxies comes from. Given the huge public interest in large space missions such as Hubble and Spitzer, Herschel is an ideal opportunity to excite and inform the UK public during the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Here we present some of the education and outreach projects created by the Herschel Outreach Group (HOG).
Functional analysis of hyperthermophilic endocellulase from Pyrococcus horikoshii by crystallographic snapshots
Authors: Kim Han-Woo , Ishikawa Kazuhiko 
Published: June 2011

A hyperthermophilic membrane-related β-1,4-endoglucanase (family 5, cellulase) of the archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii was found to be capable of hydrolysing cellulose at high temperatures. The hyperthermophilic cellulase has promise for applications in biomass utilization. To clarify its detailed function, we determined the crystal structures of mutants of the enzyme in complex with either the substrate or product ligands. We were able to resolve different kinds of complex structures at 1.65–2.01 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm). The structural analysis of various mutant enzymes yielded a sequence of crystallographic snapshots, which could be used to explain the catalytic process of the enzyme. The substrate position is fixed by the alignment of one cellobiose unit between the two aromatic amino acid residues at subsites +1 and +2. During the enzyme reaction, the glucose structure of cellulose substrates is distorted at subsite −1, and the β-1,4-glucoside bond between glucose moieties is twisted between subsites −1 and +1. Subsite −2 specifically recognizes the glucose residue, but recognition by subsites +1 and +2 is loose during the enzyme reaction. This type of recognition is important for creation of the distorted boat form of the substrate at subsite −1. A rare enzyme–substrate complex was observed within the low-activity mutant Y299F, which suggested the existence of a trapped ligand structure before the formation by covalent bonding of the proposed intermediate structure. Analysis of the enzyme–substrate structure suggested that an incoming water molecule, essential for hydrolysis during the retention process, might be introduced to the cleavage position after the cellobiose product at subsites +1 and +2 was released from the active site.
Visual Boosting in Pixel‐based Visualizations
Authors: Oelke Daniela , Janetzko Halldor , Simon Svenja , Neuhaus Klaus , Keim Daniel A. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPixel‐based visualizations have become popular, because they are capable of displaying large amounts of data and at the same time provide many details. However, pixel‐based visualizations are only effective if the data set is not sparse and the data distribution not random. Single pixels – no matter if they are in an empty area or in the middle of a large area of differently colored pixels – are perceptually difficult to discern and may therefore easily be missed. Furthermore, trends and interesting passages may be camouflaged in the sea of details. In this paper we compare different approaches for visual boosting in pixel‐based visualizations. Several boosting techniques such as halos, background coloring, distortion, and hatching are discussed and assessed with respect to their effectiveness in boosting single pixels, trends, and interesting passages. Application examples from three different domains (document analysis, genome analysis, and geospatial analysis) show the general applicability of the techniques and the derived guidelines.