- IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the PhD level and beyond, active in professional education and research in astronomy.
- Founded: 1919
- HQ : Paris, France
- Objective:
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- Promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation.
- It is an internationally recognized authority for assigning designations (names) to celestial bodies (stars, planets, asteroids, etc.) and any surface features on them.