Updates 
The International Year of Astronomy 2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach has been awarded to From Earth to the Universe (FETTU). Read the press release to find out more: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iya1002/
In 2009, the "From Earth to the Universe" project brought astronomy to millions of people around the world. Take a tour of just some of the locations in this short video on the FETTU Highlights page.
You can now download a PDF that illustrates the most up to date locations and the timeline for FETTU exhibits in these locations on the Timeline page.
Read about some of the successes of FETTU in the recent CAPJournal Article:
http://www.capjournal.org/issues/07/07_10.php
The map shows locations where interest has been expressed or development is in progress in hosting an IYA image exhibition in 2009. Read more on the About Page.
You can now listen to the captions of 50 FETTU images on the Tour the Images page. Look for the "Listen" icon.
The "From Earth to the Universe" exhibition (FETTU) has opened outside the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. This display of some 50 large-scale astronomical images will be available to the public through the end of July.
Also arriving in Washington, DC, later this month will be FETTU panels for the visually impaired. These panels will feature tactile displays of the images as well as Braille versions of the caption material. The exhibit will open on July 18th at the DC Public Library's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, located at 901 G St., NW, in cooperation with Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and the DC Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and run through mid- September. Read more in the Chandra Press Release.
As the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) reaches its six-month milestone, over a million people have already looked at the sky through a telescope for the first time, and even more have newly engaged in astronomy. Over 60 countries around the world have signed up to host FETTU exhibitions in more than 200 separate locations. More in the IYA2009 Release: http://www.astronomy2009.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iya0913/
Take a Survey and tell us what you thought of the From the Earth to the Universe exhibits. You can also check the Survey Results.
By the beginning of May, two major installations of "From Earth to the Universe" (FETTU) will be open in the United States in two of the countries largest airports. On May 4th, FETTU will be unveiled at the Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta. Around the same time, FETTU will premier at Chicago's O'Hare airport. Each of these FETTUs will contain over 50 astronomical images prominently displayed throughout the airports. These latest installations join the some 250 versions of FETTU in over 50 countries around the world. For a full calendar of FETTUs, see http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/table_events.php. Photos of present and past FETTUs can be found at http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/event_photos.php.
The Events Calendar can now be sorted by location or by date.
Activity Guides are now available in both English and Spanish on the Introduction page.
Now also view our Image of the Day RSS
We now have French, Italian, and German translations for selected image captions. See either the Download Images page under For Organizers or the Tour Images page under For Visitors.
Worldwide exhibitions of large-scale astronomical images are being launched in over 40 countries around the world. The IYA2009 Cornerstone project, From Earth to the Universe (FETTU), is designed to bring the undeniable beauty of astronomy to the general public in a series of free showings across the world. Read the full press release.
On Wednesday 7 January 2009 the International Year of Astronomy was officially opened in Ireland, in the presence of the President of Ireland and NI Minister for Education at the BT Young Scientist Festival in Dublin. View a photo of the outdoor FETTU exhibit.
From Earth to the Universe is now available on the Astronomy 2009 island in Second Life. For information on how to visit, check out: http://secondastronomy.org/. Also check out this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkvtevFP7RA
We updated the caption and credit for the Crab Nebula image. Please redownload the caption.
View the FETTU slideshow at Seed magazine.com
Read the press release from International Year of Astronomy 2009.
Ciel et Espace has produced a portfolio "Le tour du cosmos en 50 photos" about From Earth to the Universe (FETTU) in their magazine "2009 Annee mondiale de l'astronomie", as well as a 2009 calendar with FETTU images, "Calendrier 2009, Tous les evenements astronomiques observables". Download the Portfolio and Calendar.
The FETTU web site is now divided into two sections: For Visitors and For Organizers. The For Visitors section is still in development but you can explore what is posted to date.
You can now download FETTU badges on the Brand/Logos page.
We have corrected a caption on the image entitled "Moon". The image was incorrectly credited on the enlarged image but was correct on the thumbnail and the downloadable captions list. All captions of this image are now correcly credited to Jean Luc Davergne (Ciel et Espace ).
In addition we have uploaded a new image for "G292.0+1.8", which now includes the image taken with the DSS field
Make sure to redownload these items!
In addition we have uploaded a new image for "G292.0+1.8", which now includes the image taken with the DSS field
Make sure to redownload these items!
The introduction text is now complete with distance and color information and is available at http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/intro_panel.php or as a link off of the Download Images page.
Please use the FETTU and IYA2009 logos somewhere on the introductory panel and elsewhere throughout the exhibit as appropriate. High resolution FETTU logos in different color schemes are available on the Brand/Logos page and the IYA2009 logos are available at
http://www.astronomy2009.org/resources/branding/
Download the master captions list on the documents page to read the image captions in Spanish.
The FETTU images are now available via its "Download images" link of the website, which offers zipped high-resolution files and separate captions. As of early November 2008, the FETTU organizers have received about 20 completed submissions of the FETTU application and agreement forms. These countries include Denmark, Cuba, Slovenia, Portugal, Bolivia, Canada, Netherlands, Chile, Australia, United Kingdom, Italy, and multiple locations in the United States (Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Hawaii, California/Bay Area, Wisconsin, and New Jersey among others).
A selected NASA Education and Public Outreach proposal will fund two semi-permanent FETTU exhibits in Chicago (in conjunction with the Adler Planetarium) and Atlanta (with Agnes Scott College and the Hartsfield International Airport), as well as a traveling version that will have multiple stops across the US. Several locations for this traveling version have already been identified and others will be added as the schedule develops. The NASA grant will also provide the FETTU organizers the ability to create informal education products, materials for visually impaired users, and evaluation information. These and other elements that are enabled by the NASA grant will be shared with FETTU organizers worldwide.
In addition to all of these locations, the FETTU organizers continue to field numerous additional requests from others around the world as countries develop their IYA plans. One outstanding issue currently being addressed is the request from some countries to charge nominal admission fees or the use of marketing tools to support exhibits without funding. We will report to the organizers on this decision within the next few weeks.
A selected NASA Education and Public Outreach proposal will fund two semi-permanent FETTU exhibits in Chicago (in conjunction with the Adler Planetarium) and Atlanta (with Agnes Scott College and the Hartsfield International Airport), as well as a traveling version that will have multiple stops across the US. Several locations for this traveling version have already been identified and others will be added as the schedule develops. The NASA grant will also provide the FETTU organizers the ability to create informal education products, materials for visually impaired users, and evaluation information. These and other elements that are enabled by the NASA grant will be shared with FETTU organizers worldwide.
In addition to all of these locations, the FETTU organizers continue to field numerous additional requests from others around the world as countries develop their IYA plans. One outstanding issue currently being addressed is the request from some countries to charge nominal admission fees or the use of marketing tools to support exhibits without funding. We will report to the organizers on this decision within the next few weeks.
Plans are being drafted for a small version of FETTU print and/or digital / for the opening ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris (January 15 and 16, 2009).
Spanish translations of the FETTU captions are now about three quarters completed. Final delivery is expected in mid November and will be posted to the FETTU site for sharing. Offers for translation into Chinese and Turkish have been made.
Please email Kim Arcand (kkowal@cfa.harvard.edu) if you would like to contribute to translations
Plans are progressing to create limited copies of a free digital version of FETTU on DVD (PAL and NTSC) to share. Please email Kim Arcand (kkowal@cfa.harvard.edu) if you have interest in showing a digital version as part of your IYA2009 activities.
Sky and Telescope magazine is featuring about 50 FETTU images across 30 pages in its annual "Beautiful Universe" publication. FETTU outposts can request copies for 5.00 US Dollars per copy plus shipping from Kim Arcand . Or, order individual copies online at:
http://www.shopatsky.com/products/U801.L5/Beautiful%20Universe%202009.htm
http://www.shopatsky.com/products/U801.L5/Beautiful%20Universe%202009.htm
Progress continues to have a FETTU featured in SecondLife, and FETTU is currently on Facebook .
A poster on the latest status of FETTU will be presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Long Beach (January 2009).
We revised a caption for Andromeda Galaxy in the Liverpool Collection. If you downloaded before today, please redownload it with the new caption.
Now you can view enlarged images and captions on the Download Images page.
Now you can keep tabs on the FETTU project from your Facebook page. Make new friends with the other people interested in "From Earth to the Universe":
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25619587489
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25619587489
The high resolution images and captions of the full 125+ FETTU image collection will be available in about a week. There will be a username and password to access the materials which you will receive when you have submitted the agreement form and the exhibitor form if you have not yet done so. The materials are free to use once you have sent in both forms. At that point, if there are volunteers to do the language translations like some of you have already mentioned doing, please get in touch with us.
We are currently working with Sky and Telescope on their Beautiful Universe 2009 publication which we expect to have 39 pages of 50 FETTU images and accompanying text (thank you Sky & Tel!). This product should be an easy way to offer exhibit attendees a way to "take the Universe home with them" for a small fee (50% off the $9.99 cover price for $5.00 per copy, plus shipping). Please email your orders by September 12 to Kimberly Arcand.
We will research the possibility of language translations for an insert as well.
After the wonderful success of the Liverpool prototype exhibit (additional photos are at Flickr), we are really looking forward to seeing the 50+ venues currently being discussed happen across the world in 2009.
We are currently working with Sky and Telescope on their Beautiful Universe 2009 publication which we expect to have 39 pages of 50 FETTU images and accompanying text (thank you Sky & Tel!). This product should be an easy way to offer exhibit attendees a way to "take the Universe home with them" for a small fee (50% off the $9.99 cover price for $5.00 per copy, plus shipping). Please email your orders by September 12 to Kimberly Arcand.
We will research the possibility of language translations for an insert as well.
After the wonderful success of the Liverpool prototype exhibit (additional photos are at Flickr), we are really looking forward to seeing the 50+ venues currently being discussed happen across the world in 2009.
We have had publicity in the local newspapers and hearing good feedback.
The first International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone Project brings the stars to Liverpool, UK.
(05 June 2008)
(05 June 2008)
From Earth to the Universe is a precursor of the wide range of events planned in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. The dazzling display of images will take viewers deep into the Universe from 7/29 June 2008 and will be held at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, UK.
Read the full press release on the International Astronomical Union website.
Read the full press release on the International Astronomical Union website.
View the final image panels (PDF 11.44 MB) of the Liverpool prototype exhibit.
The images are reduced in quality so it would be a reasonable download size, but it gives a good feel for the exhibit if you can't visit in person. The materials attempt to strike a balance between popular appeal, education, and mixing enough images without letting the casual viewer get overloaded. The schedule is on for installation on 5-6 June, in time for the 7 June announced opening.
The images are reduced in quality so it would be a reasonable download size, but it gives a good feel for the exhibit if you can't visit in person. The materials attempt to strike a balance between popular appeal, education, and mixing enough images without letting the casual viewer get overloaded. The schedule is on for installation on 5-6 June, in time for the 7 June announced opening.
Watch and download the Liverpool trailer.
Watch and download the Liverpool trailer.
Recently, I went up to Liverpool for the trial installation last Friday. After some negotiation, we now have the
agreement of all the stakeholders in this project - site management, site owners, heritage officials, tennants and residents - and clearance by security and health & safety officers.
The print itself is awesome - at three metres long the Carina nebula has to be a winner anyway. Very impressed with the quality of the print itself in terms of colour and tone reproduction. The mounting on aluminium looks very high-class, especially as we have had a radius cut on the corners (no sharp edges!).
During discussions we decided on the slightly lower setting for the panel. This has a great benefit of making the captions more accessible to children or wheelchair users, for example, and also increases the natural lighting. I don't believe it has any impact on the visibility of the panels as such.
The panel was left in place for a few hours, and I'd say 50% of people walking along the dockside stopped to look at the panel, and about one in six looked at the caption. I think this completely validates the reasoning behind FETTU, the average person on the street is attracted to these images and I have every confidence that the Liverpool prototype will be a huge success. In the image above: trial installation of an actual image panel at the Liverpool site.
-Gary Evans -From Earth to the Universe is a precursor of the wide range of events planned in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. The dazzling display of images will take viewers deep into the Universe from 7/29 June 2008 and will be held at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, UK.
The print itself is awesome - at three metres long the Carina nebula has to be a winner anyway. Very impressed with the quality of the print itself in terms of colour and tone reproduction. The mounting on aluminium looks very high-class, especially as we have had a radius cut on the corners (no sharp edges!).
During discussions we decided on the slightly lower setting for the panel. This has a great benefit of making the captions more accessible to children or wheelchair users, for example, and also increases the natural lighting. I don't believe it has any impact on the visibility of the panels as such.
The panel was left in place for a few hours, and I'd say 50% of people walking along the dockside stopped to look at the panel, and about one in six looked at the caption. I think this completely validates the reasoning behind FETTU, the average person on the street is attracted to these images and I have every confidence that the Liverpool prototype will be a huge success. In the image above: trial installation of an actual image panel at the Liverpool site.
-Gary Evans -From Earth to the Universe is a precursor of the wide range of events planned in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. The dazzling display of images will take viewers deep into the Universe from 7/29 June 2008 and will be held at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, UK.
