In response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on society, the IAU has been taking action to mitigate some of these negative effects. In addition to virtual scientific meetings and launching online Astronomy@Home activities, the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) announced an Extraordinary Call for proposals tackling COVID-19 in May 2020, where the IAU committed €40 000 in partnership with the African Planetarium Association and the African Astronomical Society. We received a tremendous response. The OAD press release demonstrates yet again astronomy’s invaluable role within society.

But our resources are limited. We were only able to fund 43 projects out of 150 submitted, and more projects will likely surface in other communities that have not yet responded. We urgently need your help to ensure additional worthy programmes can access funding at this challenging time. Our target is €40 000, allowing us to double the resources we have so far committed to helping the community in this critical time of need.

The attached map shows how your donations could help:

• 20 donations of €25 could fund a project such as Lowell Observatory’s Native American Outreach Program, pairing astronomers with 1000 children to support them with vital literacy learning and improve their access to STEM subjects
• 20 donations of €50 could fund programmes such as the University of the Western Cape’s initiative to provide 25 additional tutors for 300 astronomy undergraduate students to support them with their online learning 
• 10 donations of €100 could fund access for 100 African astronomy students to remotely observed telescopes and provide online internships, such as the project run by GLAS Education in Sonoma, California in partnership with IAU ROADS in Western and Southern Africa

We are most grateful to donors who have already contributed to the IAU Appeal, allowing us to reach people who are in great need of our assistance. With your support,we can achieve so much more. We appreciate your donations, which can be made via the IAU website.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 14 000 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Contacts

Ewine van Dishoeck
President of the IAU
Email: ewine@strw.leidenuniv.nl 

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org