In 1609 Galileo Galilei looked at the sky through a telescope for the first time. With it he made a series of discoveries that changed forever our perception of the universe. To commemorate this fact the International Astronomical Union announced the declaration by UNESCO of 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009), ratified by the United Nations on December 19, 2007.

Among the objectives of the celebration of the AIYA2009 is the popularisation of astronomy. Furthermore, taking advantage of the interest in this branch of science, the celebration of the IYA2009 is also intended to contribute to the spread of a modern view of science and scientists in our society.

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Valencia contribute to the celebration of the International Year organising various activities (informative talks, observation sessions from the Hall of Astronomy and the Observatory of Aras, exhibitions ...) directed to the university community, secondary schools and the general public.