Objective
On June 8, 2004, planet Venus will pass in front of the Sun. This event, a transit, is extremely rare - the last one occurred 121 years ago. Easily observable in Europe, it will most certainly generate unprecedented attention from the media and the public. This project aims at transforming curiosity into knowledge and interest in European science through large-scale pedagogic action, specially geared towards the importance of uncertainty in scientific observations, the leading European role in the discovery of extra-solar planets and the measure of the Universe. This project will set up a large international network of individuals (teachers, students, amateur astronomers, etc.), and institutions (planetariums, science centers, etc.). It will encourage them to participate in real-time measurements of one of the most fundamental astronomical parameters, the distance from the Earth to the Sun. It will explain the relation of this event to a current front-line research area, the search for extra-solar planets by the transit method; the only one, which, in the near future, will enable the discovery of Earth-size planets and thus possibly, alien habitable worlds. The project will promote international collaboration throughout Europe, and also in Africa and Asia, by observing the same rare celestial event, debating it via web and adding local observational contributions to a large, common database. The project is centred on the delivery of the detailed explanation in all European languages of all aspects (scientific, technical, historical etc.) of the event itself and its implication in the search for life, and on the involvement of media, teachers and amateur astronomers to ensure the highest return. The Internet will be the main vector of interaction. To emphasize the sociological importance of this event, a video contest will be launched. The project will be thoroughly evaluated in terms of impact and management in a Final Event during the Science Week.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-SCIENCEANDSOCIETY-2
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
GARCHING
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.