The International Astronomical Union (IAU); fr, Union astronomique internationale, UAI, is an international association of professional astronomers, active in research and education in astronomy.[1] It is internationally recognized as the authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies, such as stars, planets, asteroids, etc.[2] The IAU is a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU). Its main objective is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU maintains friendly relations with organizations that include amateur astronomers in their membership.
References[]
- ↑ "About the IAU". International Astronomical Union. http://www.iau.org/about/.
- ↑ Overbye, Dennis (4 August 2014). "You Won't Meet the Beatles in Space - Plan to Liven Official Naming of Stars and Planets Hits Clunky Notes". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/05/science/plan-to-liven-official-naming-of-stars-and-planets-hits-clunky-notes.html. Retrieved 11 October 2016.