International Astronomical Union (IAU)

• The IAU was founded on 28 July 1919, at the Constitutive Assembly of the International Research Council (now the International Science Council) held in Brussels, Belgium.
• IAU is now headquartered in Paris, France.
• IAU creation was prompted by the need for international collaboration in astronomy, especially  after the devastation caused by World War I.
• The International Astronomical Union is a non-governmental organisation with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreach, education, and development through global cooperation.

IAU’s Major Activities and Initiatives

• General Assembly: The IAU holds a general assembly every three years in varying parts of the world at which professional astronomers meet to discuss research, new cooperative ventures, and similar matters of professional interest.
• Astronomical Nomenclature: IAU standardizes the nomenclature of celestial bodies, features, and phenomena. It maintains several working groups dedicated to naming conventions for stars, planets, asteroids, and other objects.
• Research and Collaboration: It promotes international cooperation in astronomical research and supports initiatives such as observational campaigns, data sharing, and joint projects.
• Education and Outreach: It is actively involved in promoting astronomy education and public outreach efforts worldwide. It supports educational programs, workshops, and resources for students, teachers, and the general public.

Composition

• As of 1 August 2019, the IAU has a total of 13,701 individual members, who are professional astronomers from 102 countries worldwide; 81.7% of individual members are male, while 18.3% are female.
• Membership also includes 82 national members, professional astronomical communities representing their country’s affiliation with the IAU. 
• National members include the:
  • Australian Academy of Science,
  • The Chinese Astronomical Society,
  • The French Academy of Sciences,
  • The Indian National Science Academy,
  • The National Academies (United States),
  • The National Research Foundation of South Africa,
  • The National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Argentina),
  • The Council of German Observatories,
  • The Royal Astronomical Society (United Kingdom),
  • The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand,
  • The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences,
  • The Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Science Council of Japan, among many others.
• The sovereign body of the IAU is its General Assembly, which comprises all members. The Assembly determines IAU policy, approves the Statutes and By-Laws of the Union (and amendments proposed thereto) and elects various committees.

IAU Nomenclature  Criteria

• Rule 4: It emphasizes the international nature of solar system nomenclature and encourages equitable representation of names from diverse ethnic groups, countries, and genders.
• Rule 9: The IAU adheres to Rule 9, prohibiting names with political, military, or religious connotations, except for historical political figures prior to the 19th century.
• Rule 11: It emphasizes that names should be unique within the context of celestial nomenclature to prevent confusion.