NASA selects student astronomy ambassadors

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has selected 46 students to take part in its International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassadors Program.

Two of the students, Rebecca Holmes and Norberto Gonzalez, were chosen to attend the opening ceremonies of an IYA event in Paris in January. Holmes, is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill who is majoring in physics and astronomy. Gonzalez is a junior at the University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo who is majoring in biology.

The IYA Student Ambassadors Program is designed to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to participate in IYA activities and generate excitement in their communities about NASA's discoveries in astrophysics, planetary science and solar physics.

"NASA is a major partner in the United States' celebration of IYA activities," said Hashima Hasan, NASA's astrophysics education and public outreach leader in Washington. "The Student Ambassadors Program is just one of many activities the agency has planned throughout the coming year."

The ambassadors were selected from more than 150 online applications. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, full-time students and participate in activities that align with NASA's IYA goals.