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Standing Committee

Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA)

The Board on Physics and Astronomy brings the evolving subdisciplines of physics and astronomy and other related expertise together to address physics and astronomy issues of national importance.

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News and Updates

Explore exciting breakthroughs in space science with The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at Space Science Week 2026 on March 23-27

Update

Each year, Space Science Week brings together leaders across the space science disciplines to explore the latest developments and discuss the future of the field. This year will feature a plenary session with updates from leaders at NASA and an array of international space agencies, a joint session about leveraging AI for space science research, and a public lecture with singer Jewel on the intersection of art and science.

Mar 10, 2026
Partial solar eclipse above the curvature of the Earth in the foreground.

Elementary Particle Physics: The Higgs and Beyond

Update

Our new report presents a bold 40-year vision for particle physics and highlights the actions necessary to make this vision reality.

Sep 8, 2025
Colorful fission of particle in collider

Proceedings Released: Frontiers of Engineered Coherent Matter and Systems

Update

The Proceedings from the CMMRC's hybrid workshop on quantum coherent matter and systems and their relation to fundamental problems and applications in condensed matter physics, materials science, and quantum information is now available for download.

Nov 20, 2025
engineered coherent matter
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and Updates

Upcoming Events

Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences June Virtual Meeting 1

  • June 3, 2026
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Upcoming

The committee will discuss short report reviewer comments.

Board on Physics and Astronomy and Space Studies Board Joint Meeting - Spring 2026

  • June 4 - 5, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

The virtual spring meeting of the Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA) will be held online on Friday, June 5. There will be joint BPA/SSB sessions held the prior day on Thursday, June 4. To watch the...

Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences June Virtual Meeting 2

  • June 9, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Upcoming

The committee will discuss short report review comments.

Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences June Virtual Meeting 3

  • June 11, 2026
  • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Upcoming

The committee will discuss short report review comments.

Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences June Virtual Meeting 4

  • June 17, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Upcoming

The committee will discuss short report review comments.

Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) - Monthly Call July 2026

  • July 6, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

This is a virtual meeting of the Committee on Radio Frequencies. The agenda and connection details for the open session will be posted closer to the meeting.

Space Studies Board and Board on Physics and Astronomy Joint Meeting Fall 2026

  • October 20 - 22, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

The 193rd meeting of the Space Studies Board will be held October 20-21, the meeting of the Board on Physics and Astronomy will be held October 21-22. October 21 will be a joint session.

Past Events

Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) - Monthly Call June 2026

  • June 1, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Frontiers of AI-Realized Metastable Materials: A Workshop

  • May 8, 2026
  • 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
  • Workshop
  • Past

Metastable materials can exhibit extraordinary properties like superconductivity or extreme hardness which have the potential to transform energy systems, electronics, and infrastructure, yet they are...

Condensed Matter and Materials Research Committee 2026 Spring Meeting

  • May 7, 2026
  • 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Meeting
  • Past

This is a meeting of the CMMRC. The meeting is to connect with community members, discuss exciting and emerging areas of research, and generally hear ideas relevant to condensed matter and materials s...

Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) - Monthly Call May 2026

  • May 4, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Frontiers of Metastable Materials Development Using Artificial Intelligence: A Workshop Telecon #6

  • April 17, 2026
  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Past

Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) - Monthly Call April 2026

  • April 6, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee is meeting in closed session.

Frontiers of Metastable Materials Development Using Artificial Intelligence: A Workshop Telecon #5

  • April 3, 2026
  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Past

Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences April Virtual Meeting

  • April 1, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Past

The committee will meet in closed session to discuss report writing.

An Instrument Nature Can Play - Keynote Public Lecture: Space Science Week 2026

  • March 25, 2026
  • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (EDT)
  • Lecture
  • Past

Space Science Week 2026 Keynote Public Lecture An Instrument Nature Can Play: Data, Sound, and the Work of Imagination in Science Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 PM ET Speakers: Jewel Prof. Greg Niemey...

Jewel's sculptural installation, Seven Sisters, which is driven by astronomical data from the Pleiades star grouping. Radiation patters from each star, captured by the Kepler telescope's extended mission, determine the fluctuations of light and sound.

Plenary Session: Space Science Week 2026

  • March 24, 2026
  • 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EDT)
  • Conference
  • Past

Register now for Space Science Week 2026! At the Space Science Week Plenary Session on Tuesday, March 24, Leaders from NASA and other federal agencies, as well as international representatives from ES...

Space Science Week 2026

  • March 23 - 27, 2026
  • Conference
  • Past

Each year, Space Science Week brings together leaders across the space science disciplines to explore the latest developments and discuss the future of the field from a variety of perspectives, from p...

Partial solar eclipse above the curvature of the Earth in the foreground.

Committee on Radio Frequencies: Space Science Week 2026

  • March 23 - 25, 2026
  • Conference
  • Past

Space Science Week 2026 will be held in a hybrid format March 23-27, 2026. There will be plenary sessions on March 24 and a keynote public lecture on March 25. The Committee on Radio Frequencies will...

Frontiers of Metastable Materials Development Using Artificial Intelligence: A Workshop Telecon #4

  • March 20, 2026
  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Past

Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences March Virtual Meeting 2

  • March 12, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Past

The committee will meet in closed session to discuss report writing.

Frontiers of Metastable Materials Development Using Artificial Intelligence: A Workshop Telecon #3

  • March 6, 2026
  • 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
  • Closed
  • Tele Conference
  • Past
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