Tuesday

When the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown observatories and planetariums around the world, rural and underserved audiences became even more closed off from their communities. In an effort to serve rural audiences who could access virtual programming, Whipple Observatory launched Nationwide Livestream Star Party on April 24, 2021 having never attempted such a livestream or collaboration. The ambitious aim was to reach 200 people. Featuring astronomers and NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors in North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana and Arizona, the premiere US-based event had an audience 40.6% outside of the US, reached more than 1,600 unique live viewers, and and was viewed an additional 1,200 times over the following 2.5 days.

In the 12 months following launch and with audience input, the program has morphed to include more astronomers from more locations, as well as telescopes in Chile and the Canary Islands, becoming International Livestream Star Party. Audience feedback led to the inclusion of short science presentations by astronomers and science educators, and objects described in presentations are imaged both in advance and live when possible to provide additional context. These changes meet the needs of audiences the group never dreamed of reaching. The program is now run by NASA/JPL Ambassadors exclusive of the Whipple Observatory.

We will talk about the program and how collaboration with the astronomical community and the public during the pandemic has created a sustainable learning resource to serve the world. We will also discuss the challenges of coordinating telescopes, operators, and astronomers throughout the nation and the world in this effort, and how these co-creation and collaborative tactics can apply now and in post-COVID public engagement for astronomy.

This collaborative effort has been supported and/or recognized by NASA/JPL SSAs, NASA's Night Sky Network, NASA's MIE Alliance, and multiple universities and research observatories.