About the IAYC

About the IAYC

Every summer the International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) takes place somewhere in Europe. About seventy people from many different countries live together for three weeks. They are between 16 and 24 years old and share a common interest: astronomy. The IAYC is different from most astronomical camps for two reasons: the international character and the fact that you carry out your own small research project, not just accepting facts but rather discovering them yourself and while working together with other people. The IAYC is therefore not like staying in a hotel and following a summer school or an astronomy course. Every participant with his or her own cultural background forms an important piece in the complex puzzle of camp life. As an IAYC participant, the success of the camp depends on your contribution.

Participants in the IAYCs

To participate in the IAYC you must be between 16 and 24 years old. You also have to be able to communicate in English. You must also be able to communicate in English. As we are all from different countries, English is the camp language. Therefore, you have to speak English not only during the activities in the working groups and the non-astronomical programme, but throughout the entire camp. The aim of this is also to discourage people from the same country or language group from spending all their time together. IAYC offers you a great opportunity to make friends from other countries and it would be a pity to waste that opportunity. You should not worry though, as your English does not need to be perfect. But you should be able to have a normal conversation without a dictionary. The IAYC is an astronomy camp, therefore you should be interested in science in general, and astronomy in particular. You have to be willing to carry out a project autonomously, though there is always your leader for support.

How is life in an IAYC?

Observing at night and still catching enough sleep is only possible when you wakeup late. Therefore, the IAYC day starts with breakfast at 12:00 (noon). After breakfast, the first of two daily working group session is held. The first working group session lasts two and a half hours and the second lasts two hours. What you do there depends on the working group you choose. After the first working group session you have some free time. Free time allows you to participate in one of the sports activities or workshops, spend time with your IAYC friends, take a walk ... you choose. If you feel like organising something yourself with other participants, great! Free time ends with lunch at half past five in the afternoon. Doing astronomy for three weeks without anything else drives you nuts. That’s why, every day after dinner, there is an anything-but-astronomy activity with the entire group. This is called Non-Astronomical-Program, NAP for short. There will be group games, singing evening, discussions and much more. Further on in this booklet the NAP leader will explain the plans she has in mind. After NAP, at ten o’clock in the evening, the second daily working group session takes place. The final scheduled event of the day is a light meal served at mid-night. If the sky is clear, you will have the opportunity to observe afterwards.

Daily Schedule:

11:30 Waking up service
12:00 Breakfast
Free time
13:00 - 15:30 1st working group session
Free time
17:30 Dinner
Free time
19:30 NAP
22:00 - 24:00 2nd working group session
24:00 Dinner
Free time / Observations

Although most days during the camp are like the one previously described, there are a few special days. One day, during the first week of the camp, is reserved completely for a special programme: the excursion day. In the middle of the camp there is a free day that you can spend almost any way you want. You could go on a trip with some IAYC friends, catch up some sleep, go hiking...

Working groups

Most of the astronomical activities in the camp take place in working groups. There are several working groups; each one has seven to nine participants and one leader who is responsible for the group. Every working group is based on a different topic. Every member of the group works on his or her project, either alone or in a study group of 2 or 3. You and your study will work independently on your project, which you can choose in the beginning of the camp. The sort of work you do depends on your own preferences: calculate it yourself, observe it yourself, explain it yourself, read about it in books yourself, ... In short, you should not expect a school-like situation where a teacher tells you everything and you take it for granted. You don’t have to worry that this might be too difficult for you. In every working group you will find something for all levels, and your working group leader will help you if you encounter any problems. At the end of the camp you will write a report about the work done in the camp. The reports by everyone are collected and compiled into a book which will be sent to you after the camp. This makes a nice souvenir and is a good way to learn about everybody’s projects. The working groups available in IAYC 2012 will be introduced later in this brochure by their leaders.

Observations

The main goal of our observations will be getting results as input for your projects. More important than the technique used is the principle and the result. You will not find us fighting with fancy CCD cameras if we can do the observation with conventional astrophotography just as well. Depending on your project, you might be outside already in the 2nd working group session (22:00-24:00 - so bring warm clothes!!!). After midnight everyone is encouraged to enjoy the beautiful sky in the company of great people. During the day, observations of the sun are possible during free time (or as part of your project). Aside from (or) as a part of your project you can learn all about taking astropictures. Of course, there will be time for pure stargazing too, for the fun of seeing the marvels of our universe. If you are not experienced in observing  you can learn from the eaders and other participants. For the participants who have not yet gained experience with observations and telescopes, there will be an introduction in observational techniques and usage of telescopes at the beginning of the camp.

Observational equipment:

If you can bring your own telescope or binoculars - great. For everyone else, IWA e.V. provides several telescopes which are suitable for observations and taking astropictures. We also have a CCD which can be used together with the telescopes. If you want to bring astronomical equipment like eyepieces or filters or if you want to know more about our equipment, please contact josh@iayc.org or javier@iayc.org

Contacting the IAYC

If you want to know more about the IAYC, or if you want to participate in next year's camp, then email us at info@iayc.org.