U.S. National Committee for the International Astronomical Union (IAU)

Type

Announcement
Based on Science
Feature Story
Impact Story
Media Advisory
Media Tipsheet
News Release
Perspectives
Program News
Staff Feature
Statement

Topic

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Subtopics
1. Agricultural Chemicals
2. Animal Health and Welfare
3. Conservation
4. Crop Management
5. Decarbonization
6. Energy Demand and Use
7. Energy Sources and Renewables
8. Environmental Monitoring
9. Fisheries Management
10. Food Production
11. Food Safety
12. Forest Management
13. Fuel
14. Land Management
15. Minerals
16. Ocean Management
17. Plant Diseases and Pests
18. Soil Management
Data and Statistics

Subtopics
1. Data Analytics
2. Data Collection
3. Data Infrastructure
4. Data Privacy
5. Demographics
6. National Statistics
7. Statistical Analysis
Economy and Workforce

Subtopics
1. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
2. Business Partnerships
3. Commercialization
4. Economic Development
5. Economic Policy
6. Labor Economics
7. Organizational Leadership
8. Professional Development
9. Workforce Development
Education

Subtopics
1. Academic Standards and Testing
2. Athletics and Physical Activity
3. Educational Administration
4. English Language Learning
5. Higher Education
6. Pre-K to Grade 12 Education
7. School Safety
8. Teacher Development
9. Technical Education
Engineering

Subtopics
1. Automation
2. Biotechnology
3. Manufacturing Technologies
4. Mining and Energy Extraction
5. Nanotechnology
6. Plastics
7. Safety Critical Systems
Environment and Biology

Subtopics
1. Aquatic Ecosystems
2. Climate Change
3. Environmental DNA
4. Evolution and Geologic History
5. Genetics
6. Glaciers, Ice Sheets, and Sea Levels
7. Hazards, Disasters, and Extreme Events
8. Microorganisms and Microbiomes
9. Pollinators and Insects
10. Pollution
11. Terrestrial Ecosystems
12. Weather
13. Wildlife
Health and Medicine

Subtopics
1. Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition
2. Diseases and Conditions
3. Health Care
4. Medical Technology
5. Pharmaceuticals
6. Public Health
Information Technology

Subtopics
1. Artificial Intelligence
2. Communications Infrastructure
3. Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet of Things
4. Cybersecurity
5. Digital Apps and Services
6. Digital Models
7. Digital Transformation
8. Hardware Development
9. High-Performance Computing
10. Human–Computer Interaction
11. Quantum Computing
12. Software Development
Infrastructure and the Built Environment

Subtopics
1. Accessible Infrastructure
2. Bridges, Roads, and Highways
3. Buildings
4. Design and Construction
5. Energy Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
6. Environmental Health and Safety
7. Infrastructure Asset Maintenance
8. Maritime Infrastructure
9. Pipelines and Tank Farms
10. Property and Real Estate
11. Rural Development
12. Urban Planning
13. Waste Management and Recycling
14. Water and Wastewater Utilities
Law, Society, and Justice

Subtopics
1. Abuse and Harassment
2. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
3. Children and Youth in Care
4. Community Engagement
5. Community Resilience and Sustainability
6. Crime and Policing
7. Criminal Justice System
8. Displaced Persons
9. Elections and Voting
10. Ethics
11. Food Security
12. Gender and Identity
13. Globalization
14. Housing and Homelessness
15. Human and Civil Rights
16. Humanitarian Aid
17. Immigration
18. Law and Justice
19. Military and Veterans
20. Misinformation
21. Poverty and Economic Mobility
22. Racism and Discrimination
23. Rural Communities
Legislation and Policy

Subtopics
1. Executive Order Analysis
2. Legal Research
3. Legislation Analysis
4. Policy Analysis
5. Provision Analysis
Research and Standards

Subtopics
1. Community-Based Research
2. Emerging Technologies
3. Innovation
4. Intellectual Property
5. Open Science
6. Research
7. Science Communication
8. Science Funding
9. Scientific Integrity
Space, Security, and Conflicts

Subtopics
1. Military and Defense
2. Security
3. Space
Transportation

Subtopics
1. Air Transportation
2. Freight and Supply Chain
3. Maritime Transportation
4. Public Transportation
5. Rail Transport
6. Road Transportation
7. Sustainable Transportation
8. Traffic Management and Road Safety
9. Transportation Planning
10. Vehicles
11. Vulnerable Road Users
12. Winter Maintenance

Apply Now for IAU Membership*

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is an international scientific union with both individual members and national members. The National Academy of Sciences serves as the U.S. national member.Individual MembersAs a rule, Individual membership in the IAU is open to scientists with a PhD or equivalent in a branch of astrophysics, but the IAU also accepts as members others who are professionals with comparable expertise directly related to astronomy, such as software, outreach, or engineering.Apply for individual membership Junior Members Scientists who have completed their PhD studies between the years 2020 and 2024 are eligible candidates for Junior membership in this call. Junior membership is temporary and may not exceed six years. Apply for Junior membership Individual and Junior Members do not pay dues to the IAU. The 2024 application period is NOW open and will close on December 15, 2024. Applications must be completed on the IAU website via the links above to the appropriate application form. Following reviews by the U.S. National Committee to the IAU and the IAU, new Individual and Junior members will be notified of their acceptance by May 2025. More information about IAU membership qualifications, the application process, and the timeline can be found in https://www.iau.org/administration/membership/individual/qualification

USNC/IAU Supports IAU Dark and Quiet Skies Efforts

Dark and Quiet Skies (D&QS) are important to astronomers for their work and observations, however industry also needs access to Earth orbit for its satellites. The rapid development of efficient and reusable rockets by private-sector companies has led to a steadily increase of entities now launching people and hardware into space. The result is an exponential growth in the density and variety of satellites at a wide range of altitudes. The IAU has worked in close cooperation with the United Nation’s Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), its Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), and the various stakeholder communities to identify issues and workable solutions. Two workshops in 2020, SATCON1 and Dark and Quiet Skies, proposed a number of recommendations aimed at mitigating the impact of the various causes of interference on astronomy and our society. The SATCON2 workshop and Dark and Quiet Skies conference in 2021 focused on the implementation of the recommendations, in particular identifying both the technical and political actions needed for their effective realization, as well as which stakeholders and partners would need to collaborate to implement a satisfactory solution for the preservation of dark and quiet skies. Recognizing the importance of the IAU’s work in this area, the USNC/IAU held a webinar on October 20, 2021 to discuss: the national/international policies and laws being considered; a "one-stop shop" for observers worldwide to coordinate the observation and measurement of interference caused by satellite constellations (both optical and radio); the algorithms being considered for avoidance and streak remediation; the thoughts of the extended community and their priorities related to this topic; the connection with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the Science and Technology Subcommittee; and the possibility of an International Astronomical Union Centre on dark and quiet skies protection from satellite constellation interference.The IAU subsequently proposed and announced the establishment of a new IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference, co-hosted by NSF’s NOIRLab and the SKA Observatory (SKAO). The USNC/IAU and the NASEM will continue to work closely with the IAU Centre on this topic. Learn more at: USNC-IAU Webinar on D&QS IAU announcement about the IAU Centre: https://www.iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau2201/ IAU introductory video on the IAU Centre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIzC9HlyduY Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society conference 2020 report: https://www.iau.org/static/publications/dqskies-book-29-12-20.pdf (PDF download)

U.S. National Committee Meeting

The committee met virtually on February 3, 2022. Major topics included the new IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference, the status of the IAU General Assembly in 2022, continued support for the Young Astronomers’ and Women in Astronomy events at the IAU GA, and approval of U.S. Individual and Junior Member applications to the IAU.

U.S. Leadership in the IAU, 2022-2024

The United States is well represented in IAU leadership positions. These include: President: Debra Elmegreen, Vassar College President, Division G, Stars and Stellar Physics (2022-2025): Andrej Prša, Villanova University President, Division J, Galaxies and Cosmology: President, Kim-Vy Tran, Texas A&M University Vice President, Division D, High Energy Phenomena and Fundamental Physics: Matthew G. Baring, Rice University Vice President, Division H, Interstellar Matter and Local Universe: Claus Leitherer, Space Telescope Science Institute Chair, Resolutions Committee: Claus Leitherer, Space Telescope Science Institute In addition, IAU currently has ten U.S.-based IAU Commission presidents and four Commission vice presidents. Member, Finance Committee: Phil Puxley, AURA Member, Membership Committee: Susana Deustua, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyIn addition, Harvey Liszt (US-NRAO) serves as Chair of the Inter-Union Commission on the Allocation of Frequencies, which is a joint body of the IAU, URSI, and COSPAR.The NASEM appreciates the services of all of these individuals.

U.S. Astronomers Approved for IAU Membership

The U.S. National Committee for the IAU approved 80 applications for IAU membership on February 5. Of these, 49 for Individual Membership (IM) and 31 for Junior Membership (JM). These were subsequently approved by the IAU, bringing IAU’s total membership to 12,228. Of this number, 2607 or 21% IM and Junior members are from the United States.

Event - IAU Executive Committee Holds Discussion with U.S. Astronomy Leaders

BISO and IAU had planned for the NASEM to host the IAU Executive Committee's annual meeting the week of May 11, 2020. The 23-person Executive Committee consists of the IAU officers and division presidents. The IAU Executive Committee had not met in the United States for many years, and part of the meeting was to include discussions with key U.S. astronomy and astrophysics leaders. When COVID-19 emerged, the meeting switched to virtual and the agenda was condensed. BISO was very pleased that the IAU Executive Committee decided to retain the session with U.S. astronomy leaders. On May 11, the meeting was conducted via Zoom. The discussion helped ensure that U.S. science priorities are well understood by the IAU, and that key U.S. astronomy leaders feel they have a direct connection to the IAU leadership

IAU Celebrates Its Centennial*

The IAU celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019 with activities throughout the world. The celebration, IAU 100, was supported by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Optical Astronomical Observatory (NOAO), the University of Leiden, and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Learn More About IAU 100 (https://www.iau-100.org/)

Event - U.S. National Committee Meeting 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USNC/IAU meetings were virtual in 2020 and 2021. The 2020 annual meeting was held virtually on January 20. Topics included U.S. membership applications to the IAU, publicizing future IAU membership application periods, the upcoming IAU Executive Committee meeting at the NASEM, U.S. sponsorship of the Young Astronomers' and Women in Astronomy events at the IAU General Assembly in 2021, and interactions with other U.S. national committees. Results of the International Science Council's (ISC) Gender Gap Project were also discussed. The IAU was a major participant in this three-year project. Read the final report at https://gender-gap-in-science.org/ Learn more about the Gender Gap project (https://gender-gap-in-science.org/)

Event - Future IAU General Assemblies*

Previously scheduled for August 2021, the next IAU GA will take place in Busan, Republic of Korea in August 2022. The 2024 GA will take place in Cape Town, South Africa. This will be the first IAU GA on the continent of Africa. Learn more (http://www.iauga2021.org/)

U.S. Leadership in the IAU, 2019-2021

The United States is well represented in IAU leadership positions. Debra M. Elmegreen (Vassar College) is IAU president-elect, and three of the nine Divisions have U.S.-based presidents: Division C (Education, Outreach, and Heritage): Susan Deustua (STScl); Division E (Sun and Heliosphere): Sarah Gibson (High Altitude Observatory, Boulder, CO); and Division G (Stars and Stellar Physics): David Soderblom (STScl). In addition, a number of Commission Presidents are from the United States. USNC member David Soderblom chairs the IAU Membership Committee, while Lee Anne Wilson (Iowa State University) serves on the Finance Committee. Harvey Liszt (US-NRAO) serves as Chair of the Inter-Union Commission on the Allocation of Frequencies, which is a joint body of the IAU, URSI, and COSPAR. The NASEM appreciates the services of all of these individuals.

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U.S. National Committee for the International Astronomical Union (IAU)

News and updates

Apply for IAU Membership by December 31, 2025

Apply Now for IAU Membership*

USNC/IAU Supports IAU Dark and Quiet Skies Efforts

U.S. National Committee Meeting

U.S. Leadership in the IAU, 2022-2024

U.S. Astronomers Approved for IAU Membership

Event - IAU Executive Committee Holds Discussion with U.S. Astronomy Leaders

IAU Celebrates Its Centennial*

Event - U.S. National Committee Meeting 2020

Event - Future IAU General Assemblies*

U.S. Leadership in the IAU, 2019-2021

My Academies

U.S. National Committee for the International Astronomical Union (IAU)

News and updates

Dropdown items

Apply for IAU Membership by December 31, 2025

Apply Now for IAU Membership*

USNC/IAU Supports IAU Dark and Quiet Skies Efforts

U.S. National Committee Meeting

U.S. Leadership in the IAU, 2022-2024

U.S. Astronomers Approved for IAU Membership

Event - IAU Executive Committee Holds Discussion with U.S. Astronomy Leaders

IAU Celebrates Its Centennial*

Event - U.S. National Committee Meeting 2020

Event - Future IAU General Assemblies*

U.S. Leadership in the IAU, 2019-2021