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Editorial (page 03)
Pedro Russo

At the end of 2010, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) Secretariat will finish its activities. It was back in 2007 that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established the IYA2009 Secretariat at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Headquarters in Garching, Germany. The Secretariat’s role was to act as a hub for IYA2009 activities. It coordinated projects from the planning stages through to evalua- tion, and was a central contact for the hundreds of national nodes, international organi- sations, global projects, the media and the general public.

The Secretariat was embedded in ESO’s education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD), which provided invaluable support and expertise for IYA2009. Its position within ePOD, with a ready-made editorial team already in place, was integral to the launch of the CAPjournal.
While the IYA2009 Secretariat closure marks the end of the largest initiative that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has ever embarked upon, the organisation re- mains committed to promoting education and public outreach throughout the world. As part of the legacy of IYA2009, the IAU is supporting the continued production of CAPjournal. I will remain editor-in-chief, and Lars Lindberg Christensen will continue his vital role as executive editor.

On a personal note, in early 2011 I will be starting a new position at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where I will be the International Project Manager of the educational project Universe Awareness, an IYA2009 Cornerstone project. I have enjoyed my tenure as IYA2009 Coordinator and I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the talented team at ESO ePOD.

Speaking for the last time as IYA2009 Coordinator, I would like to thank you all for your hard work, support and dedication in making IYA2009 an astronomical success!
Happy reading,

Pedro Russo
Editor-in-Chief