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Reach out
Janice Harvey
Gemini North Administrator - Education, Outreach and Media, Hilo, USA
The most rewarding thing about education and outreach is seeing the look on children's faces (adults too) when they understand something new about the Universe for the first time - that "Aha!" moment! Most astronomers are, at least at first, terrified of children. It is important to relax and get down to the level of children.
Ideally your observatory should allow and encourage you to do outreach and devote at least 1% of your time to it. But, no one should be forced to do outreach
it should not feel like a "duty"
you must have the desire to do it
then you will enjoy it!
A good way to see what works in public outreach is to watch experienced astronomy communicators at work. Our annual "Journey through the Universe" programme, comprising a wide range of outreach activities, provides the ideal mentoring opportunity.
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