Astronomical outreach activities for the general public who are unfamiliar to astronomy is a challenging task. It requires creative thinking to solve the problem. The amateur astronomical clubs in a number of cities in Indonesia routinely schedule observations at public parks. The interaction between these clubs and formal education institutions is established by face to face interaction and assisted by social media. The physics teachers who took astronomy courses in university are potential resources to enlarge the outreach scope by creating astronomical clubs as an extracurricular activity. Recent progressive trends in astronomy dissemination for the disabled are also a great opportunity to assist the disabled in experiencing hands-on activities based on formal and informal education.

These days, advanced technologies provide an easy way for the public to obtain information about anything, including astronomy. Most people know astronomy for its sky events and scientific results. In Indonesia, the public has a high interest not only in astronomy information but also in participating in astronomy events, but it is limited to those who has access to a club nearby. Otherwise, for those who live in remote areas or simply don't have any access, they depend on information from newspapers, magazines, books or word of mouth. They usually think that astronomy is a dicult subject to learn, while in fact it is something doable and fun.

Astronomy is a popular topic for the public in term of astronomical phenomenon such as occultations, solar and lunar eclipses or meteor showers. In term of education, astronomy also is popular as one of the world Science Olympiads. Social media, as the new trend in communicating and connecting people, plays a significant role in increasing the size of the astronomy community. Beyond IYA 2009, more and more astronomy activities have been done in many places in Indonesia. New astronomy communities have been formed in several cities and public engagement is also high in social media especially on Facebook and Twitter. In this paper, we will discuss the lesson learned from astronomy outreach achievements in Indonesia and the need for citizen science projects as a distance learning tool for the public as part of astronomy development in Indonesia. We argue and propose that this project will be also important up to a regional scope.

Indian astronomical texts have records of lunar astronomy since the Puranic age. In the Vednga Jyotia (1350 B CE), the algorithm for computing eclipses is not found. This phenomenon was interpreted in the Siddhntic texts as the occurrence of Vyatipati Yoga. This paper attempts to explain the computing and observational method found in astronomical texts of Siddhntic period.

Radio sources are very weak, as they can travel through large distances. Radio sources also have photons with low energies compared to others electromagnetic waves (EM). Microwave photons have a little more energy than radio waves, infrared photons have still more, then visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and the most energetic electromagnetic wave is gamma-rays. Radio astronomy studies are restricted due to radio frequency interference (RFI) produced by people. If this disturbance is not minimized, it poses critical problems for astrophysical studies. The purpose of this paper is to profile RFI maps in Peninsular Malaysia with a minimum mapping technique for RFI interference. Decision-making processes using GIS (Geographical Information System) for the selection requires gathering information for a variety of parameters. These factors affecting the selection process are also taken into account. In this study, various factors or parameters are involved, such as the availability of telecommunications transmission (including radio and television), rainfall, water lines and human activity. This mapping step must be followed by RFI site testing in order to identify areas of low RFI. This study will benefit radio astronomy research, especially regarding the RFI profile.

The Hiroshima Astrophysical Science Center (HASC) was founded in 2004 at Hiroshima University, Japan. The main mission of this institute is the observational study of various transient objects includ- ing gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, novae, cataclysmic variables, and active galactic nuclei by means of multi-wavelength observations. HASC consists of three divisions; the optical-infrared astronomy divi- sion, high-energy astronomy division, and theoretical astronomy division. HASC is operating the 1.5m optical-infrared telescope Kanata, which is dedicated to follow-up and monitoring observations of transient objects. The high-energy division is the key operation center for the Fermi gamma-ray space telescope. HASC and the high-energy astronomy group in the department of physical science at Hiroshima University are closely collaborating with each other to promote multi-wavelength time-domain astronomy. We report the recent activities of HASC and some science topics pursued by this multi-wavelength collaboration.

We present the current status (as of August 2014) of SPICA (Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics), which is a mission optimized for mid- and far-infrared astronomy with a cryogenically cooled 3m-class telescope. SPICA is expected to achieve high spatial resolution and unprecedented sensitivity in the mid- and far-infrared, which will enable us to address a number of key problems in present-day astronomy, ranging from the star-formation history of the universe to the formation of planets. We have carried out the "Risk Mitigation Phase" activity, in which key technologies essential to the realization of the mission have been extensively developed. Consequently, technical risks for the success of the mission have been significantly mitigated. Along with these technical activities, the international collaboration framework of SPICA has been revisited, which resulted in la arger contribution from ESA than that in the original plan. To enable the ESA participation under the new framework, a SPICA proposal to ESA is under consideration as a medium-class mission under the framework of the ESA Cosmic Vision. The target launch year of SPICA under the new framework is the mid-2020s.

The Antarctic high plateau offers exceptional conditions for infrared and terahertz astronomy, as well as for programs requiring long, uninterrupted periods for measurements made with high cadence and photometric precision (i.e. time domain astronomy). In this review we summarise the special conditions of the Antarctic plateau which facilitate these observing regimes. We also outline some high profile science programs in each that could be conducted most effectively from the Antarctic high plateau, involving the first light in the Universe, the life cycle of our Galaxy, and the equation of state for the Universe. Three high plateau sites are under particular consideration for furthering such scientific programs-Dome A, Dome F and Ridge A. We summarise the activity underway at each site, which includes the building of new stations and the construction of facilities for optical, infrared and terahertz astronomy, as well as the plans for their future development.

The importance of multiwavelength astronomical surveys is discussed in the context of galaxy evolution. The AKARI Deep Field South (ADF-S) is a new, well placed survey field that is already the subject of studies at a wide range of wavelengths. A number of ADF-S observational programmes are discussed and the prospects for the ADF-S as a future resource for extragalactic astronomy is explored.

We have carried out a follow-up study on the students who have participated or are going to participate in either the International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO), the Asia Pacific Astronomy Olympiad (APAO) or the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) from 2002 to 2011. The survey questionnaires returned from ten high school students including five who are to participate in 2011 as well as fourteen college students have been analyzed in various aspects of their backgrounds and personal characteristics. In family life, their parents tend to have high educational background along with high expectations for their children. In regard to the academic environment, most students express a general satisfaction in school life, including their relationship with teachers and classmates. In personal characteristics, they describe themselves as inquisitive, perseverant, competitive, creative, self-motivated and goal-oriented, in addition to many other traits. Most students have a strong interest in astronomy which usually begins in middle schools through exposure to astronomy books. On top of it, the astronomy olympiad has provided them with an opportunity to strengthen their self-esteem, problem-solving ability and conviction about scientific careers. Accordingly, the experience in astronomy olympiad has led a considerable number of students to continuously studying in astronomy related fields or otherwise in other science and engineering areas. In conclusion, the astronomy olympiad plays such an important role that it can make a significant contribution to astronomy as well as science in general by having positive impact on the potential career path of its participants.