The mission of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), founded in 1919, is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. With now over 8,300 individual members and 60 Adhering Countries worldwide, the IAU plays a key role in promoting and coordinating worldwide cooperation in astronomy. The IAU is also the sole internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and surface features on such bodies.

The scientific and educational activities of the IAU are organised by its 11 Scientific Divisions and, through them, its 40 more specialised Commissions covering the full spectrum of astronomy. The long-term policy of the IAU is defined by the General Assembly and implemented by the Executive Committee, while day-to-day operations are directed by the IAU Officers. The focal point of its activities is the permanent IAU Secretariat, located at Institut d'Astrophysique in Paris, France.

The IAU home page provides you access to the full spectrum of activities of the IAU, from statutes and history to individual Members, Commissions, Divisions, Officers and the Secretariat. The design and maintenance of the page is based largely on voluntary manpower, so please bear with us if not all your favourite features have been included yet.

Please Note: We have recently been able to obtain the domain name iau.org. The new URL has already been implemented, and we will slowly be phasing out the old one. The old URL (www.intastun.org) will soon (winter 1998/99) be rendered inactive.