Home page - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) aims to further the use of astronomy as a tool for sustainable development globally.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
An initiative of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) and Stellenbosch University (SU). From 17–19 October 2025, members of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) and Stellenbosch University’s CoCREATE Health Hub gathered in Sutherland on a research trip to study how astronomy experiences can support mental health and family connection/cohesion. This [...] The post Astronomy for Mental Health and Family Cohesion appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Develop...| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
The project established a community educational program in the remote community of El Rincón in Honduras. Residents of El Rincón live in conditions of extreme poverty with little access to education. Nearly all families work on coffee fields, including children, who are expected to help their families from an early age. The project consisted of [...] The post Astronomy Project Benefits Remote Community in Honduras appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
We may have missed the Full Moon, but we’re definitely not going to miss the opportunity to come together! This October, the Full Moon Mashup has been transformed into a New Moon Mashup. Dr. John Goldsmith will be joining us on October 22, 2025, to deliver a talk titled “Astrophotography Inspiring a Creative World.” He will explore how he [...] The post Astrophotography Inspiring a Creative World – Astro4Dev Full Moon Mashups appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
Red de Estudiantes Colombianos en Astronomía (RECA) Educación, a Colombian non-profit that brings science, astronomy and planetary science to schools and communities across Colombia has been awarded the 2025 Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement. The award was presented at the the Europlanet Science Congress and the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science (EPSC–DPS) Joint [...] The post IAU OAD Supported Initiative Wins Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement appe...| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
The IAU OAD has published its latest newsletter for the July to September 2025 period. Highlights in the newsletter: IAU Presidents visits South Africa and the OAD Hack4Dev Organisers Hackathon Call for Applications Launch of OAD Flagship Ecosystem OAD Annual Report Previous newsletters are on the website. The post IAU OAD Newsletter #40 July – September 2025 appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
The Office of Astronomy for Development has published the Annual Report for 2024-25. It covers highlights from the year including the first IAU General Assembly in Africa, two comments in Nature Astronomy, showcase of our 2024 projects, our (re)new(ed) full moon mashup webinar series and more. The report provides updates from the Regional Offices and [...] The post Annual Report 2024-25 appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
This post is a personal reflection by Dr. Joyful Mdhluli on her trip to Namibia. During the IAU Symposium 399 on Indigenous Astronomy in the Space Age (7–11 July 2025), I delivered a presentation on the role of astrotourism as a tool to promote dark and quiet skies. I discussed how astrotourism can serve as [...] The post When Stars Lead the Way: Astrotourism and Sustainable Development in Namibia appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
In late September 2025, the OAD had the opportunity to host a special visitor, Professor Willy Benz, President of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). His visit, which took place from 25–28 September 2025, was filled with meaningful engagements that celebrated astronomy’s power to connect science, society, and development. Professor Benz was in South Africa as [...] The post IAU President, Professor Will Benz, visits the OAD appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
OAD Fellow Dominic Vertue gave a presentation at the South African Association of Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP) 2025 conference. SAASWIPP is a professional association of social workers in private practice in South Africa. The presentation covered the role that astronomy can play in supporting mental health and well-being with adults. The session explored [...] The post Astronomy for Mental Health at Social Workers Conference appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Devel...| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
The International Astronomical Union (IAU), the largest professional society of astronomers worldwide, is launching an astronomy-based initiative, through its Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), to drive entrepreneurship and support mental health. Termed the “Flagship Ecosystem”, the initiative will offer a wide range of support to people from around the world to engage in astronomy [...] The post International Astronomical Union Launches Astronomy-for-Development Ecosystem appeare...| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) aims to further the use of astronomy as a tool for sustainable development globally.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
South Africa will be hosting the G20 science ministers in September and we have the opportunity to share your voice at this event.| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
In June, we explored how astronomy techniques, refined in the study of starlight and the structure of the cosmos, can be adapted to drive innovation across a wide range of fields. This August, we continue the conversation with a deep dive into the intersections between astrophysics, data science, and global health. Guiding this session is [...]| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
Our latest Astro4Dev Full Moon Mashup brought together a vibrant group of people to explore an important question: How can astronomy contribute to global policy discussions, particularly in the context of the G20? Astronomy and the G20: Why It Matters Charles, Deputy Director of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), opened the session [...]| IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
