The 386th IAU Symposium, organised by the collaboration of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI), as well as the partnership with the Ethiopian Space Science Society, Ministry of Innovation, Ministry of Tourism, African Astronomical Society, African Planetarium Society, East African Regional Astronomical Development Office, the Ontoto Observatory, ESA, Uppsala University, EAROD, and EORC, kickstarted on 13th November 2023.
The symposium, themed “The Role of Dark Sky and Astronomical Heritage in Promoting Astro-Tourism Worldwide,” included a variety of in-person and internet-based programs and was attended by experts and researchers from international institutes and research centres. It will focus on building the potential of astrotourism, not only protecting the black sky but also focusing on the contribution of astrotourism to the development of the tourism sector, opening the door for Ethiopia to gain economic benefits from this tourism sector.
The event is set to be held from 13th to 17th November 2023 in Addis Ababa and will include workshops, capacity-building training, planetarium tours, lectures by astronomers, as well as stargazing and public lectures, among others.
Credit: Space in Africa
