Once in a "blue" moon opportunity - end the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in style!

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The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland offers the public the unique opportunity to see the final sunset of 2009 from the biggest observatory on the African continent. This coincides with the only “blue” moon* for 2009 and lunar eclipse to boot! This is a very fitting end to a marvelous year in which astronomy was taken to all corners of the world to educate, inspire and ignite people's imaginations.

The SAAO will open its gates on the new years eve, with half hourly to hourly tours from 9 AM to 5 PM. Tours include a visit to the Southern African Large Telescope, the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. An essential astronomy workshop with a question and answer session will run from 12 PM to 2 PM on the day, and all are welcome to attend. From 7 PM to 9 PM the observing plateau will be open to the public to witness the sunset over the magnificent Karoo. Besides the activities at the Observatory, a public star party will happen in the town of Sutherland with braai's, music and lots of opportunities to enjoy astronomical delights from a place world reknown for its great evening skies.

In the week leading up the new years eve, a number of festivities are planned in Sutherland, ranging from cultural performances, arts and crafts markets, live bands, a road show, sports and hiking activities and lots more. The SAAO will also be open during this week for public tours, and a daily astronomy workshop will also be running.

More information can be found at www.saao.ac.za/projects/YearEndFestival2009/YearEndFestival2009.html. Or contact:
Kevin Govender
Cell: 082 487 8466
Email: kg(at)saao.ac.za

* Here a "blue" moon refers to the second instance of a full moon in a given calendar month. It happens relatively frequently, occurring about once every 2 and a half year. Oddly enough, this definition of a Blue Moon originated with a mistake published in 1946, and has no deeper historical justification. A real Blue Moon is one that looks blue, and is very rare (it occurs when scattering particles in the atmosphere have radii in a particular range which reverse the usual reddening effect).

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