National Astronomy Day is an annual event designed to promote the joy of astronomy to the general public. All over the world, astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetaria, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their communities with local astronomical resources and facilities. These events may be held at shopping malls, parks, museums, libraries, and urban centers.

Astronomy Day occurs sometime between mid-April and
mid-May on a Saturday near or before the first quarter Moon.

Astronomy Day began in California in 1973. The Astronomical Association of Northern California decided that, rather than try to entice people to travel long distances to visit observatory open houses, they would set up telescopes closer to where the people were--busy, urban locations. This strategy paid off. The first Astronomy Day was a hit, and the rest is history.

For more information about Astronomy Day, visit:
Http://www.astroleague.org/al/astroday/astroday.html

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