International Week of Astronomy in Syria

In preparation for the IYA 2009 events and in accordance with the activities of International Astronomical Union, the Syrian Amateur Astronomers Association (SAAA) regulated wide activities between 4 and 17 October 2008.

The activities were directed at people with no previous experience in Astronomy, and they included a large number of scientific lectures, many astronomical documentaries shows, observation trips in many regions and cities, regulating visits to important venues in Syria such as General Organization of Remote Sensing, and holding meetings with important individuals in this field.

Among these activities we mention a meeting with Dr. Shadia Rifai, a Syrian female astronomer who works in research activities about the solar wind in the United States. She spoke to the public about her experience in Astronomy. In addition to that many activities were held in the General Women Union in order to involve women more and more in the education process. We also made a gallery for astronomy photos in Aleppo, and we regulated an observation trip in Tartus on the Syrian coast. The following photos present some of these activities.

Wide array of audience attending lectures	A lecture about energy and matter in the universe
Member of the association mounting the telescope	Tourism and observation trip to Tartus
Meeting with Dr. Shadia Rifai	Young girls getting to know the telescope