... in Gabon
The vision of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA09) is to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day/night time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.
In Africa and Gabon in particular , the driving theme is Astronomy for Education. The aim is to use the IYA09 as a platform to reinforce the need for a stronger culture of learning - formally and informally - for a radiating Gabonese society in the African Renaissance.
Gabon is home of some of the most ancient inhabitants of Africa and the world : "Akoula" - in one Bantou language (mistranslated as "Pygmies"). As such, Gabon is a host of the most ancient form of Natural Science whose concerns included the heavens. It is therefore essential to tap on that knowledge in securing an access - for astronomy - to the remote corners of Gabon. In so doing we will be able to highlight native Africans' contribution to the human process of understanding and using the universe while locally strengthening the presence of modern day astronomy.
Dogon's "Sigui Tolo" & " Po Tolo" (Sirius A & B) : A central system in native African astronomy.
National Steering Committee
The National Steering Committee (NSC) is still being reinforced with additional local nodes. The present core is made of members of NOMMO ASTRONOMIA, the Association for Amateur Astronomy in Gabon. The NSC is presently composed as follows :
Dr. Medard MOUELE is one central node to the local community of scholars as well as to different government and non-government organizations. Dr. MOUELE is also Secretary General of NOMMO ASTRONOMIA
Mr Fernand LEPOKO is a Profesional in the local Media & Film industry. Mr. LEPOKO is treasury of NOMMO ASTRONOMIA.
Mr. Patrice OKOUMA is Head of NOMMO ASTRONOMIA and Single Point of Contact for Gabon for IYA2009. He is a central node to the local educational community as well as to different government and non-government institutions.
Firm institutional involvement is presently being formalized.
