* Astronomy

South African astronomers and their counterparts around the world are over the moon at the news that the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009).

"This is huge we've been pushing for this for a long time.  For astronomers around the world, 2009 will be like the 2010 World Cup for soccer fans! It means that IYA2009 has now been endorsed by the highest level of leadership in the world" - Kevin Govender, manager of the Salt (Southern African Large Telescope) collateral benefits programme at the South African Astronomical Observatory and chairman of the South African steering committee for the International Year of Astronomy.

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