News
Letters of Intent for Meetings in 2012
8 October 2010
A list is available online at
http://www.iau.org/science/meetings/future/loi_2012/
Eyes on the Skies receives prize at TechFilm 2010
17 September 2010
The movie Eyes on the Skies – 400 Years of Telescopic Discovery, initiated as part of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, has received the International Association for Media in Science’s Award at the TechFilm 2010 Festival. The award ceremony took place on 16 September 2010 at the National Technical Library in Prague.
Read more on: http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann1060/
Kavli Prize Ceremony held on 7 September 2010
11 August 2010
Updated on 17 September 2010
His Majesty King Harald of Norway presented the Kavli Prize in Astrophysics, Nanoscience and Neuroscience to the eight laureates from US, Germany and UK at a gala performance in Oslo Concert Hall on the 7 September 2010. Artist and former Minister of Culture Åse Kleveland, and the American actor, director and writer Alan Alda hosted the ceremony. The prize winners received a gold medal, a scroll and a share of the one million US dollars awarded in each of the scientific fields.
The 2010 Kavli Prize laureates have made discoveries that have dramatically expanded human understanding in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience. The Kavli Prize in Astrophysics was presented to Jerry Nelson, Ray Wilson and Roger Angel for their contributions to the development of giant telescopes that have allowed us glimpses of ever more distant and ancient objects and events in the remote corners of the Universe.
More information on: http://www.kavliprize.no/
IB 106 is online
2 August 2010
The Information Bulletin 106 (July 2010) is online. Download the PDF file (4.4 MB) on this link.
Director of IAU Office for Astronomy Development
30 July 2010
As a first step in the implementation of the decadal strategic plan “Astronomy for the Developing World – Building from the IYA2009”[i], the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has selected the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town as the location for the Office for Astronomy Development (OAD). The OAD will be a joint venture between the IAU and the SAAO to lead and coordinate the development activities of the IAU globally.
We now seek an outstanding individual to fill the role of Director for the OAD to provide the necessary leadership and spearhead the effective implementation of the IAU strategic plan. The success of this important initiative will be critically dependent on the performance of the OAD and its Director, whose drive and commitment will be essential in building up the ambitious programmes envisaged by the IAU. The successful candidate can be expected to satisfy the following minimum requirements:
- An honours degree or equivalent in astronomy or a closely related field (and a strong affinity with astronomy).
- Proven track record in education and capacity building activities at an international level.
- Demonstrable strategic vision and experience of change management.
- Managerial experience, including people and financial management.
- Demonstrable record of leadership and achievement, as well as a strong international reputation.
Experience in fundraising will be a significant advantage.
The tasks of the Director will include:
- Worldwide management, coordination and evaluation of IAU programs in the area of development and education and establishment of their annual budgets.
- Liaison with the chairs of relevant IAU program groups/sector task forces and other relevant stakeholders in planning and implementing the relevant programs.
- Build up IAU regional astronomy development nodes, liaison with the IAU regional coordinators and nodes in planning and implementing relevant programs.
- Implementation of new activities, as outlined in the IAU decadal strategic plan.
- Managing the OAD and its staff, including recruitment, establishment and control of the OAD budget, interfacing with the SAAO as host organisation and appropriate regular reporting.
- Proactive coordination and initiation of fund-raising activities for astronomy-driven capacity building activities.
The successful candidate will be expected to have an established network of contacts relevant to the tasks described above.
The Director will report to the Director of the SAAO. The activities of the OAD will be overseen by a Steering Committee comprising nominees of both the IAU and the SAAO.
The SAAO is a facility of the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and provides a stimulating astronomical environment with a proven record of capacity building located in one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in the world. The Director will be appointed according to normal conditions of service of NRF employees, with a salary commensurate with their background and experience. This is a contract position for 5 years. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and full CV, including the contact details of at least 3 references, by email to both the IAU General Secretary, Ian Corbett (iau@iap.fr), and SAAO HR Manager, Linda Tobin (linda@saao.ac.za). The selection process will begin after 30 September 2010.
Prospective candidates may obtain additional information from the IAU General Secretary, Ian Corbett.
Further correspondence will be conducted with short-listed candidates only.
SAAO is committed to employment equity and redress.
Agreement signed for the IAU Office for Astronomy Development
30 July 2010
The President of the South African National Research Foundation, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld and the General Secretary of the IAU, Dr. Ian Corbett, signed a landmark agreement in Pretoria today with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) which will foster and promote astronomy in the developing world.
Read more in the IAU press release:
http://www.iau.org/public_press/news/detail/iau1005/
C 54 announces winners of two new prizes in Interferometry, the Fizeau Prize and the Michelson Prize
21 July 2010
The International Astronomical Union Commission 54, Optical and Infrared Interferometry, is pleased to announce the first award of two new prizes in astronomy.
The IAU Commission 54 (Optical and Infrared Interferometry), The Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur (OCA), and the Mt. Wilson Institute (MWI) created two prizes in Interferometry, the Fizeau Prize and the Michelson Prize. The two prizes are similar but complementary, with the Michelson Prize emphasizing application of interferometry to astrophysical research, and the Fizeau Prize emphasizing innovative technical and theoretical work.
The Fizeau Prize for 2010 is awarded for lifetime achievement to Professor Antoine Labeyrie for his invention of speckle interferometry, the development of the I2T and GI2T interferometers, and contributions to the development and implementation of the VLTI. Prof. Labeyrie's innovative genius challenges conventional wisdom with ideas such as the hypertelescope, laser-trapped space mirrors, and pupil densification; his visionary work has meant much to the community, and has been a forceful reminder that our scientific ambitions are limited only by our imaginations.
The Michelson Prize for 2010 is awarded for lifetime achievement to Dr Michael Shao for his pioneering work on ground-based and space-based interferometers, including the Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Palomar Testbed Interferometer, Keck Interferometer, and Space Interferometry Mission. Dr. Shao has been a prominent leader in the interferometry community, developing new avenues of research, including narrow-angle astrometry and nulling.
The formal public announcement was made June 30, 2010, in San Diego, at a special evening session of the SPIE conference on "Optical and Infrared Interferometry II." The Michelson Prize is sponsored by the Mount Wilson Institute, and the Fizeau Prize is sponsored by the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, in a joint program with Commission 54. Each awardee will receive a certificate of award and an honorarium.
Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 267 online
7 June 2010
Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 267 from the 2009 GA
Co-evolution of Central Black Holes and Galaxies
Eds. Bradley Peterson, Rachel Somerville and Thaisa Storchi-Bergmann
Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9780-521-76502-2
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South African Astronomical Observatory Selected as Host for the IAU Office for Astronomy Development
25 May 2010
The Executive Committee of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has selected the SAAO, a national facility of the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), to host the IAU Office for Astronomy Development (OAD). The Office is the key component of the decadal global strategy plan, Astronomy for the Developing World, launched at the 2009 IAU General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is aimed at using astronomy to foster education and capacity building throughout the world.
Read the full press release on: http://www.iau.org/public_press/news/detail/iau1003/
IAU Transactions XXVIIB online
19 May 2010
IAU Transactions XXVIIB
Proceedings of the 27th IAU General Assembly
Rio de Janeiro 2009
Ed. Ian F. Corbett
Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9780-521-76831-3
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