January 2015

International Year of Light 2015

January 2015 : By Francine Jackson

On 20 December 2013, The United Nations (UN) General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015). This International Year has been the initiative of a large consortium of scientific bodies together with UNESCO, and will bring together many different stakeholders including scientific societies and unions, educational institutions, technology platforms, non-profit organizations and private sector partners.

Meteor Shower Prospects for 2015 & Other Astronomical Highlights

January 2015 : By Dave Huestis

I always look forward to writing my January column because it previews a variety of astronomical events for the upcoming year. Yearly astronomical almanacs, both hard copy and Internet, can be referenced to find the best highlights amateur astronomers and casual stargazers may enjoy observing. I often supplement my choices using sophisticated planetarium software like Starry Night Pro to portray better exactly how these phenomena will look in the skies around southern New England.