UN declares 2009 the Year of Astronomy

In the statement issued by International Astronomical Union (IAU): "The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo Galilei's home country. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO..."

Full statement by International Astronomical Union (IAU)

The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) website