A wrong answer is not a failure; it is a starting point for learning the right answer. -Maura Sandri, #IAUS409

It is day 2 of #IAUS409. We're starting with a keynote by Lucia Marchetti on "Exploration of astronomical (and multidisciplinary) datasets and simulations using immersive technologies: lessons learnt."

Tokyo for IAUS409. Any chance you're at the conference too?

It's day one of #IAUS409. The theme is Innovative Research & Techniques in Astronomy Communications. In keeping with the meeting theme, this is a hybrid meeting hosted in Tokyo (GMT+9). I am lucky enough to be here in person and I'm seeing so many colleagues for the first time since pre-pandemic.

Next up at #IAUS409, "Vixen Keynote Workshop 1: Four-Dimensional Digital Universe" presented by Eiichiro Kokubo & Takaaki Takeda. We just watched a 4d (3 spacial + time) in a planetarium and I admit I had to close my eyes because vertigo in deep space is horrifying. What I saw was amazing.

#IAUS409 Plenary Sessions are now. Montserrat Delgado is giving a high level talk on appropriate architecture for websites focused on Data Vis hosting. I'm pleased this is what I'm striving to do / am already doing. I'm here to learn... but given I have websites... BTW Data Vis ppl do pretty talks

Today, I fly toward Japan for IAUS409, an Astro comms conf with a strong emphasis on technology.

I’ve been looking forward to this conf for about a year, but I’ve only been home for a few days after spending a month taking care of a friends with cancer.

The dog is big mad. Timing is not great.

Next week @avivahy.bsky.social & I are going to #IAUS409 in Tokyo & sharing a flat. We live 12 timezones apart and doing the "who will have worse jetlag" experiment. Expect nonsense of the best kind.

The program is OUT for the hybrid IAU Innovative Research and Techniques in Astronomy Communication 🔭 November 2~6.

Clearly the BEST workshop will be Vanessa Moss, who leads @futuremeetings.bsky.social, looking at how immersive tech (like VR) can redesign how we work.
🧪: iau-oao.nao.ac.jp/iaus409/

From communicating with policymakers, combating misinformation, understanding the ethics and best practices for AI, and leveraging technology in your research, join us in Japan or online this November 1 ~ 6 🧪.
Early-bird registration until July 24 🐦.
Website 🔭: iau-oao.nao.ac.jp/iaus409/

The IAU Symposium on Innovative Research and Techniques in Astronomy Communication will take place 2-6 November 2026 hybrid at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Mitaka, Tokyo and online. Registration and abstract submission are now open! 🔭 #astroedu

iau-oao.nao.ac.jp/iaus409/