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Monday, February 2, 2009

Sir Arthur C Clarke Memorial SF Short Story Competition 2009

Sir Arthur C Clarke Memorial SF Short Story Competition 2009

SRI LANKA ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

Date: 02 February 2009 For Immediate Release
Ref.: 2009-03
Issued by:
Sri Lanka Astronomical Association
Mr. Thilina Heenatigala.
Mob: +94 (0) 716 245 545
thilina_atn@yahoo.com
website: http://aalk.lakdiva.net/
Sir Arthur C Clarke Memorial Science Fiction Short Story Competition 2009
DATE:
02 February 2009
Event: Science Fiction Short Story Competition 2009

MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

Under the International Year of Astronomy 2009 programs, the Sri Lanka Astronomical
Association has organized a science fiction short story competition in memory of late Sir
Arthur C Clarke.

The competition is open to school students between grades 8 – 13 which falls under two
categories as junior and senior. The entries could be submitted in English or Sinhalese
preferably.

All the entries will be judged by professionals in the field and the award ceremony will take
place on the 19 March 2009 along with the first year passing of the late Sri Arthur C Clarke.
All the entries must reach the association secretary before 28 th of February. The winners will
be awarded cash prizes and certificates and the winning entries will be published in
newspapers.

All the entries must follow the definition of Science Fiction which is;
Science fiction differs from fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary
elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated
laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative
speculation). Exploring the consequences of such differences is the traditional purpose of
science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas". Science fiction is largely based on
writing entertainingly and rationally about alternate possibilities in settings that are
contrary to known reality.

These may include:
A setting in the future, in alternative time lines, or in a historical past that contradicts
known facts of history or the archeological record.
A setting in outer space, on other worlds, or involving aliens.
Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict known laws of
nature.
Stories that involve discovery or application of new scientific principles, such as time
travel or psionics, or new technology, such as nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel or
robots, or of new and different political or social systems.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Sri Lanka Astronomical Association - http://aalk.lakdiva.net/
International Year of Astronomy2009 - Sri Lanka - http://aalk.lakdiva.net/iya2009
International Year of Astronomy2009 - http://www.astronomy2009.org/

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Ceylon Astronomical Association which was founded in June 1959, (later known as
Sri Lanka Astronomical Association) and now revived as the Astronomical Association
of Lanka (AALK) is a not-for-profit association founded by Sir Arthur C. Clarke and late
Herschel Gunawardene.

It is for the purpose of pursuing the study of astronomy and promoting the education of
astronomy and related sciences. The revived Association’s goals would include usage of
internet to carry research on astronomy and related sciences among university students
and others.

International Year of Astronomy 2009

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has launched 2009 as the International Year
of Astronomy (IYA2009) under the theme “The Universe, Yours to Discover”.
IYA2009 marks the four hundredth anniversary of the first astronomical observation
through a telescope by Galileo Galilei. It will be a global celebration of astronomy and its
contributions to society and culture, with a strong emphasis on education, public
engagement and involvement of young people, with events at national, regional, and
global levels throughout the whole of 2009. IYA2009 has been endorsed by UNESCO,
which recommended it for adoption by the United Nations.

The IYA2009 activities will take place locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
National Nodes in each country have been formed to prepare activities for 2009. These
Nodes establish between professional and amateur astronomers, science centers and
science communicators in preparing activities for 2009. More than 140 countries are
already involved.

Sri Lanka Astronomical Association acts as the National Node for IYA2009.

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