International Astronomical Union

Founded in 1919

Founded in Brussels in 1919, the Union is defined by its statutes as a nonprofit international nongovernmental organization promoting astronomy. National adhering organizations, individual members and other membership categories participate in different ways in this scientific community.

References: [1] [3]

Astronomical objects are observed across national borders, making shared methods, terminology and communication useful. Divisions, commissions, working groups and meetings support cooperation on different subjects. These organizational structures change as research interests and practical needs develop.

References: [1] [3]

Specialist working groups coordinate names, including stellar names drawn from different languages and cultures. Names aid communication but do not replace catalogue identifiers, positions and measurements. A celestial object can therefore have both a conventional name and several technical designations.

References: [2]

Communication, education and development are also part of its mission, connecting research with wider participation. The Union is neither a single observatory nor one observing mission. Accounts of discoveries still need to identify the investigators and institutions carrying out observations and analysis.

References: [1] [3]