The IAU regrets to announce that the General Secretary José Miguel Rodriguez Espinosa has resigned his position owing to unforeseen personal circumstances. We thank José Miguel for his service and efforts to support the organisation over the past five years, through his role as Assistant General Secretary from 2019–2021, and subsequently as General Secretary from 2021–2023. José Miguel comments: “I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I've had to contribute to the IAU.”

In accordance with the IAU Bye-laws, the Executive Committee fills vacancies that occur among its members. We are pleased to announce that former General Secretary Piero Benvenuti has graciously agreed to step in as Interim General Secretary from 1 November 2023 until the conclusion of the IAU XXXII General Assembly in August 2024. He will temporarily step down as Director of the Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS). The Interim CPS Director during this time will be Richard Green. We thank Piero and Richard for their continued service to the IAU.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12 000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Contacts

Debra Elmegreen
IAU President
Email: elmegreen@vassar.edu 

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Director of Communications
Cell: +1 520 461 0433/+49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars.christensen@noirlab.edu