The International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), through its Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing (IAASARS), have established the OAE Node Greece, a new Node of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE), hosted at IAASARS/NOA in Penteli, Greece.
Founded by the IAU in 2019, the OAE is hosted by Haus der Astronomie and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. Its mission is to promote the use of astronomy in primary and secondary education and to strengthen STEM education worldwide. OAE Centers and Nodes form part of its growing international network, contributing to global OAE activities while developing areas of expertise reflecting the strengths of their host institutions.
OAE Node Greece will specialise in two main areas:
a) Radio Astronomy and Citizen Science, and
b) Astronomy Education Using Real Astronomical Data.
Its activities will include developing educational activities based on real astronomical datasets, introducing students and teachers to scientific data analysis, promoting inquiry-based learning and data literacy, and supporting participation in international citizen-science projects such as Radio Galaxy Zoo EMU.
The Node builds on IAASARS/NOA’s longstanding involvement in astronomy education, public engagement and science communication, and aims to strengthen connections between astronomical research and the classroom, with an emphasis on regional impact and international collaboration.
The OAE Node Greece is led by Dr Eleni Vardoulaki as Node Manager, with Eleftheria Drigga as Deputy Manager, together with a team of expert astrophysicists and science communicators at IAASARS. The agreement establishes the Node initially for 2026–2029, with the intention of developing it as a long-term contribution to the international OAE network.
Caption: National Observatory of Athens (NOA)
Credit: Eleni Vardoulaki