National Point of Contact

Jamaica

Marc Cornwall

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SGAC Jamaica

Welcome to the SGAC Jamaica page. Please, keep reading on to explore the latest information on space related activities in Jamaica, and find out how you can become a part of these exciting endeavours!

For further information, do not hesitate to contact the NPoC of the country.

Young Space Activities Overview in Jamaica

School representatives are presented with Galileoscopes in a ceremony marking the launch of their Astro Club

A Galileoscope adapted by the AAJ to guide teachers and other users on ways to make it work for them

Patrons at an AAJ Star Party queue up to take their look at the wonders of the night sky

A young visitor to Jamaica takes his first look through a telescope – another form of space tourism

Space is by no means at the top of the Jamaican national agenda. However, there is a space advocacy movement in Jamaica where individuals continue to work tirelessly in an effort to keep Jamaica apace with the future of humanity. Partnering in SGAC’s efforts to engage the youth of Jamaica is the Astronomical Association of Jamaica (AAJ). AAJ is the premier space group in Jamaica which advocates for all levels of space and scientific enquiry. Founded over 60 years ago, this institution continues to bring the wonders of the planets, stars and galaxies to the eyes and minds of many Jamaicans with its ever expanding itinerary of activities.

For more information make sure to check out our interesting link section below, and the national report of Jamaica in SGAC's 2011 annual report! To participate in the ground-breaking programmes being spearheaded by the AAJ, contact the SGAC NPoC for Jamaica or, alternatively, contact the AAJ directly.

Country-Specific Events in 2012

• AAJ School Astro Clubs: This initiative launched its first Astro Club for Campion High School in Kingston, in 2010 and has since been expanding its reach distributing Galileoscopes to schools and training teachers how to effectively use them in their lessons under the Galileo Teacher Training Project (GTTP). This programme will continue through 2012.
• AAJ Star Parties: The AAJ, the president of which is Jamaican National Coordinator for Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) hosts several star parties throughout the year around astronomical events and other initiatives such as Global Astronomy Month (GAM) in April.
• Yuri's Night (9-12 April): The most massive party on the planet with thousands of people around the globe celebrating human spaceflight. All activities for Yuri's Night are concentrated around 9-12 of April. The AAJ hosts a star party to celebrate Yuri’s Night, including the relatively new, fast moving star which is the International Space Station.
• World Space Week (4-10 October): A celebration of humankind's first successful venture into space - the orbiting of Sputnik, the first man-made Earth satellite. World Space Week is slated for the first week of October. More information will be available here later on in the year.

Interesting Web Links for the Young Generation in Jamaica

Associations and institutes

General interest

Spacetime journey with Jamaican Historian, Dr. Joy Lumsden: http://lightsinthesky.moonfruit.com/