On January 15 and 16, the International Year of Astronomy will be launched with an opening ceremony at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, France.

One of the goals of the year-long program is to “increase scientific awareness among the general public through the communication of scientific results in astronomy and related fields, as well as the process of research and critical thinking that leads to these results.” It is sponsored by the UN, UNESCO, and international organizations and institutions. The official slogan is “The Universe, Yours to Discover.”

About 400 people will be invited to the opening ceremony, including at least 150 young people (18-21 years old) from participating countries, members of royal families, government ministers, Nobel Prize winners and other eminent scientists.