International Astronomy Day is celebrated on 2 May by enthusiasts and professionals to share their knowledge and love of outer space with the general public. The day is celebrated twice a year, one in autumn and another in spring.
The next Astronomy Day will be observed on 26 September 2020.
On this special day, museums, astronomical institutions, and planetariums organize seminars, workshops, and other fun-filled activities with an aim to spread awareness about the world of astronomy.
The day was first celebrated in 1973 by Doug Berger, the then president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California.
He planned to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that passersby could enjoy views of the heavens. He wanted to increase interest in the field of astronomy and give the general public access to more ways to learn about it.
The day is also celebrated by setting up telescopes in urban locations in order to make space more accessible to everyone. The day included many countries and many organizations and groups. The observation of the day was amended in 2006 to include a second day of celebration in the year.
Initially, the Astronomy Day occurred on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May. It was scheduled so as to occur at or close to the first quarter Moon. In the year 2007, an autumn rendition of Astronomy Day was added.