Happy Astronomy Day!

Hopefully, everyone interested in astronomy knows that Astronomy Day is today. However, while everyone should be familiar with the date, who knows the history of the holiday itself?

Astronomy Day was started in 1973 by Doug Berger, president of the Astronomical Association of Southern California. Berger's intent: set up telescopes in urban areas to bring astronomy to people who were often ignorant of the night sky.

The idea soon started catching on all around the United States, and then the world. Now, Astronomy Day, in its full name, is the International Astronomy Day, showcasing the holiday's rapid rise from local public outreach into worldwide phenomenon.

Astronomy Day is not set on a fixed date, as it moves around from April to May each year, coinciding with first quarter Moon as much as possible. Astronomy Day is also the culmination of Astronomy Week, too.

So, now that you know all about the holiday that celebrates the hobby that brings us all together, celebrate by doing some astronomy tonight or even today with solar scopes!


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