From vkilborn at swin.edu.au Mon Jan 23 10:22:07 2017 From: vkilborn at swin.edu.au (Virginia Kilborn) Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2017 23:22:07 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Happy New year from the ASA In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear ASA members, As we begin the new year, it's a great time to review some of the events and highlights of the past year. Whilst 2016 was another jam-packed year, with too many things to mention in just one email, some particular items of note include: * The announcement of the detection of gravitational waves; * 2 Centres of Excellence awarded to astronomy, securing over $60M in funding over the next 7 years; * Numerous other ARC grants to support Australian astronomy research; * The start of ASKAP early science; * The SkyMapper early data release; * Prof Don Melrose won the Association of the Asia-Pacific Physical Societies Division of Plasma Physics Subramanyan Chandrasekhar Prize of Plasma Physics; * Dr Lisa Harvey-Smith won the DIIS Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Scientific Research * The impact factor for PASA rose to 3.245; * Four vibrant ASA chapter meetings were held in 2016, supporting the diverse interests of our astronomical community; In 2016 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Astronomical Society of Australia, at the Annual Scientific meeting in Sydney, and the associated Harley Wood School. Highlights of the meeting included the first rainbow dinner; speed-meet-a-mentor including several industry mentors; a fantastic dinner at Doltone house, where the inaugural Peter McGregor prize for instrumentation was awarded to the SAMI team; an ASA birthday cake; and many many high-quality talks. Photos from the conference are available here: http://www.asa2016.org/conference-photograph/ . The Harley wood lecture was a thought-provoking talk presented by Dr Luke Barnes - a podcast of the talk is available here: https://soundcloud.com/sydney-ideas In contrast to the 50th birthday celebrations, we were saddened by the death of ASA retired fellow Bruce Slee - Bruce was a very dear and valued member of the astronomy community, and his passing was a loss for all in the community who knew, or knew of him. A number of astronomers participated in the government's review of the governance of Australian astronomy last year. I sat on the Astronomy Governance Working Group as ASA representative. The working group was tasked with evaluating two options for astronomy governance in the future: A Consolidated governing body in CSIRO, such as a subsidiary entity (company) to CSIRO and; a Consolidated governing body as a corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. The working group met monthly, and provided a report to the DIIS for consideration following the last meeting May 2016. There have been several changes to ASA Council in the past few months: Stuart Wyithe has taken over as ASA Vice-President, and thanks go to Duncan Galloway for his service in the role for the past 18 months. Kate Gunn has taken on the role of ASA Treasurer from Ravi Sood, and we'd like to thank Ravi for the enormous effort he put into that role over several years. Thanks to all Council members, especially the secretaries John and Marc, for keeping the society running and for serving the astronomical community over the past 12 months. There are several councillors who will end their terms this year, and we'll be calling for nominations to fill these positions. Council, in discussion with members, has nominated a number of areas of priority for the 2016/17 period, including strengthening ties with NZ professional astronomers, continuing to develop links between ASA members and ASA alumni, reviewing ASA documents and policies against diversity and inclusion principles, and having more regular discussions between ASA Chapters and Council around strategic planning. The main activity for 2017 is the development of a new membership database and website, being led by Kate Gunn and John O'Byrne. This will allow members to log onto the website to pay for membership dues online, and update other details such as address/email information and chapter memberships. The database and website are currently under construction, and as such, the call for membership dues for 2017 will be delayed. The early-bird rate will subsequently also be pushed back. More information on this exciting development will follow shortly. Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2017, Virginia Kilborn President, ASA Prof. Virginia Kilborn Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology Swinburne University of Technology Ph (w) +61 (0)3 9214 4380 WWW: http://bit.ly/24vsqSR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From asheinis at aao.gov.au Tue Jan 24 14:12:23 2017 From: asheinis at aao.gov.au (Andrew Sheinis) Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:12:23 -1000 Subject: [ASA] Fwd: Appointment of GMTO President References: <0E52DC73-473B-40C9-97D0-C6D66C25B8A2@gmto.org> Message-ID: Hi All, Please see the press release below: GMTO has announced its new President, Dr. Robert Shelton, who will certainly make an excellent leader during this important juncture in the GMT development cycle. Kind Regards, Andy Sheinis, AAL GMT-SAC representative Begin forwarded message: > From: Pat McCarthy > Subject: Appointment of GMTO President > Date: 23 January 2017 4:26:00 PM HST > To: gmtsac , Rebecca Bernstein > Cc: Amanda Kocz > > To: GMTO SAC Members > From: Patrick McCarthy, Director > RE: Appointment of GMTO President > > I am delighted to announce that Dr. Robert Shelton has been appointed GMTO President. His first official day of work will be February 20th. > > Dr. Shelton joins GMTO from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement where he has been president since March 2014 and leads the vision and direction of America?s first foundation dedicated solely to funding science. Dr. Shelton has been the executive director of the Arizona Sports Foundation, was the 19th president of the University of Arizona, and provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, among many other notable leadership and academic positions at renowned public research universities. He also brings experience as a distinguished experimental condensed-matter physicist focusing on collective electron effects in novel materials, with more than 240 refereed publications, 50 invited talks, and 100 contributed papers to his name. > > Dr. Shelton has extensive experience in the management and oversight of scientific research organizations and has a long history with the astronomical community. During his time at UNC he was instrumental in the bringing the SOAR telescope to completion in Chile. He has served on the governing board of the California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA) and the Space Telescope Institute Council. He currently serves on the AURA board. > > We have posted the announcement to our website at http://www.gmto.org/2017/01/robert-n-shelton-selected-as-president-of-giant-magellan-telescope-organization, and our Founder institutions will also be sharing the news. We expect to see a number of media articles in the coming days. > > If you have any questions regarding the announcement, please contact me or Amanda Kocz, the GMTO Communications Officer. > > Please join me in welcoming Dr. Shelton to the GMTO family. > > -- > Patrick J. McCarthy, PhD > Director > Giant Magellan Telescope > 626 204 0501 (office) > 626 298 5804 (cell) > http://www.gmto.org > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From matthew.colless at anu.edu.au Tue Jan 24 14:33:16 2017 From: matthew.colless at anu.edu.au (Matthew Colless) Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 03:33:16 +0000 Subject: [ASA] New GMTO President Message-ID: <5535E23D-22D0-4F07-A1CB-CF10CCAED769@anu.edu.au> Dear ASA members, GMTO have just announced that Dr Robert Shelton will be the new President of GMTO. The GMTO and ANU press releases associated with this announcement are attached, and provide background on Dr Shelton. Regards, Matthew Colless & Mark McAuley (ANU & AAL GMTO Founders? Representatives) Professor Matthew Colless > Director, Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia Work: +61-2-6125-0266 Mobile:+61-431-898-345 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: GMTO President Announcement.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 27125 bytes Desc: GMTO President Announcement.docx URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ANU MR re GMTO President 170124.docx Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document Size: 490708 bytes Desc: ANU MR re GMTO President 170124.docx URL: From thill at museum.vic.gov.au Wed Jan 25 09:50:15 2017 From: thill at museum.vic.gov.au (Hill, Tanya) Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:50:15 +0000 Subject: [ASA] REMINDER - ASA Prizes now open for nomination - CLOSING DATE: February 10, 2017 Message-ID: <9ce4f472502c4e0caa97452368ff4db3@Bullet.mv.vic.gov.au> REMINDER that the ASA prize nominations close on Friday, February 10. Nominations are now open for the following ASA prizes: - the Bok Prize for outstanding research in astronomy by an Honours or eligible Masters student - the Charlene Heisler Prize for the most outstanding PhD thesis in astronomy or closely related field - the Louise Webster Prize for outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career. A minor change from previous years - all prizes have the same closing date of Friday 10th February, 2017. The ASA is strongly committed to improving the representation and status of women in astronomy. The Society expects that female candidates should comprise at least 25% of the nominations for each prize and acknowledges the support of institutions for helping to achieve this goal. The fraction of female candidates nominated for each prize across the last three years is included below. Bok Prize - Closing Date: Friday 10th February, 2017 For most outstanding Honours/Masters thesis in astronomy or a closely related field. Eligible Masters students are those who have entered their Masters degree directly from a 3 year undergraduate degree (without undertaking an Honours year). All degree requirements must have been completed in 2016. A maximum of 2 nominations can be submitted by an Australian University and nominations must be endorsed by the Head of Department and submitted by the candidate?s supervisor. Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 50% (2016), 83% (2015), 50% (2014) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: http://asa.astronomy.org.au/bok.php Charlene Heisler Prize - Closing Date: Friday 10th February 2017 For most outstanding PhD thesis in astronomy or a closely related field. The PhD thesis must have been accepted (but not necessarily conferred) by an Australian university during 2016. A maximum of 2 nominations can be submitted by an Australian University and nominations must be endorsed by the Head of Department and submitted by the candidate?s supervisor. Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 25% (2016), 40% (2015), 33% (2014) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: http://asa.astronomy.org.au/chp.php Louise Webster Prize - Closing Date: Friday 10th February 2017 For outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career, based on the scientific impact of a single research paper (within astronomy or a closely related field), which has the applicant as first author. The applicant is required to have been an ASA member for the last 2 years. Percentage of female nominations in previous years: 0% (2016), 100% (2015), 33% (2014) Please follow the nomination guidelines at: http://asa.astronomy.org.au/lwp.php regards, Tanya Dr Tanya Hill ASA Awards and Prizes Coordinator Planetarium Manager | Senior Curator, Astronomy Melbourne Planetarium, Scienceworks MUSEUM VICTORIA | GPO Box 666, Melbourne 3001 t: 03 9392 4503 | thill at museum.vic.gov.au @nightskymelb | museumvictoria.com.au/planetarium Please note my workdays are Tuesday ? Friday. This e-mail is solely for the named addressee and may be confidential. You should only read, disclose, transmit, copy, distribute, act in reliance on or commercialise the contents if you are authorised to do so. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please notify postmaster at museum.vic.gov.au by email immediately, or notify the sender and then destroy any copy of this message. Views expressed in this email are those of the individual sender, except where specifically stated to be those of an officer of Museum Victoria. Museum Victoria does not represent, warrant or guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained nor that it is free from errors, virus or interference. This e-mail is solely for the named addressee and may be confidential. You should only read, disclose, transmit, copy, distribute, act in reliance on or commercialise the contents if you are authorised to do so. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, please notify postmaster at museum.vic.gov.au by email immediately, or notify the sender and then destroy any copy of this message. Views expressed in this email are those of the individual sender, except where specifically stated to be those of an officer of Museum Victoria. Museum Victoria does not represent, warrant or guarantee that the integrity of this communication has been maintained nor that it is free from errors, virus or interference. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From vkilborn at swin.edu.au Thu Jan 26 12:04:12 2017 From: vkilborn at swin.edu.au (Virginia Kilborn) Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2017 01:04:12 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Australia day honours Message-ID: Dear ASA community, I'm pleased to let you know that 2 people from the Australian Astronomical community have been awarded an Order of Australia award this year: Dr Owen Bruce Slee was posthumously awarded an AM (Member of the Order of Australia), and Professor Malcolm Walter was awarded an AM (Member of the Order of Australia). The awards recognise longstanding service to the fields of radio astronomy and astrobiology respectively - and importantly in both cases, their mentorship to younger members of the community. The full citations are listed below. Kind regards, Virginia Kilborn President, ASA MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA Australia Day 2017 The late Dr Owen Bruce SLEE, (WEF 29 January 2016) Late of Turramurra NSW 2074 For significant service to science, particularly in the field of radio astronomy, as a researcher, author and mentor of young scientists. Service includes: Honorary Research Associate, Astronomy and Space Sciences, CSIRO, ongoing and Technical Assistant, Division of Radiophysics, (then) Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO), 1946-1989. Adjunct Professor, Centre for Astronomy, James Cook University, 2005-2012. Foundation Member, Astronomical Society of Australia and Retired Fellow. MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA Australia Day 2017 Professor Malcolm Ross WALTER, 61/32 Carabella Street, Kirribilli NSW 2061 For significant service to science in the field of astrobiology as an author, academic, educator and mentor. Service includes: Founding Director, Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales, 2008-2012 (formerly located at Macquarie University, 2001-2008). Co-investigator, Foundations of Complex Life, MIT NASA Astrobiology Team, current. Executive Council Member, Astrobiology Institute, NASA, current. Australian Academy of Science: Observer, National Committee for Space and Radio Science, since 2014. Member, National Committee for Space Science, 2005-2008. Member, Japan Bilateral Exchange Committee, since 2013. Member, MUSES-C Task Force (responsible for Australian involvement in the Hayabusa Spacecraft Mission in 2005). Fellow, since 2004. Research Associate, Australian Museum, Sydney, since 1993 and Recipient, Eureka Prize, 2005. Curator, 'Centenary of Federation Space Exploration', National Museum of Australia, and 'To Mars and Beyond: Search for the Origins of Life', 2001-2002. Vice-Chair, Terminal Proterozoic Eon, International Commission on Stratigraphy, 2000's. Author, 'The Search for Life on Mars', Allen and Unwin, 1999. Member, Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia. Former Chair, ACT Division, Geological Society of Australia and Fellow, since 2005. Acting Chief, Bureau of Mineral Resources (now Geoscience Australia), 1989 and Senior Principal Research Scientist, 1980-1989. Director, M.R. Walter Pty Ltd, since 1989. Director, Bass Becking Geobiological Laboratory, 1980-1987. Prof. Virginia Kilborn Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology Swinburne University of Technology Ph (w) +61 (0)3 9214 4380 WWW: http://bit.ly/24vsqSR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au Fri Jan 27 16:00:09 2017 From: john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au (John O'Byrne) Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017 05:00:09 +0000 Subject: [ASA] ASA membership renewal for 2017 Message-ID: <89876523-5E25-41F0-BF8B-523C9F58CC43@sydney.edu.au> To All ASA members, ASA membership renewal is due on 1 January each year and normally we send out invoices in January with a discount for payment before the end of February. However this year we are making major changes to the systems used for the management of membership information, payment of fees and the web site. These will be progressively implemented over the early part of the year, but the first and most obvious step will be a new online system for payment of membership fees and updating member information. We expect to have this system ready within 2 to 3 weeks. At that point you will receive an email with your username and password to give you access to the system and instructions on how to manage your payment and information. We will obviously extend the closing date for the prompt payment discount. Your feedback on the system as it develops will be welcome. John ????????????????????????? "The standard you walk past is the standard you accept? ????????????????????????? ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOHN O?BYRNE Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Science Secretary, Astronomical Society of Australia Inc. Sydney Institute for Astronomy School of Physics | Faculty of Science THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Rm 205, Physics Building A28 Postal address: School of Physics | The University of Sydney | NSW | Australia | 2006 T +61 2 9351 3184 | F +61 2 9351 7726 E john.obyrne at sydney.edu.au | W http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/john.obyrne CRICOS 00026A This email plus any attachments to it are confidential. Any unauthorised use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please delete it and any attachments. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From daniel.huber at sydney.edu.au Sat Jan 28 07:55:53 2017 From: daniel.huber at sydney.edu.au (Daniel Huber) Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:55:53 +0000 Subject: [ASA] FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: "Kepler & K2 Science Conference IV: Legacy & Scion" Message-ID: FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: "Kepler & K2 Science Conference IV: Legacy & Scion" June 19-23, 2017 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA https://keplerscience.arc.nasa.gov/scicon4/ Over the past 8 years, high-precision photometry from the Kepler/K2 mission has enabled breakthrough discoveries in exoplanet science, asteroseismology, eclipsing binary stars, solar-system objects, and extragalactic science. To celebrate the legacy and latest science results of Kepler/K2 we invite the community to the 4th Kepler & K2 Science Conference, hosted at NASA?s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA. We welcome contributions from any area of science related to the Kepler/K2 mission, as well as related future missions such as TESS. We are looking forward to celebrating the Kepler/K2 science and legacy with the community! Confirmed Invited Speakers include: Angie Wolfgang, Penn State Armin Rest, STScI Calen Henderson, JPL Conny Aerts, KU Leuven Dave Latham, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA Dennis Stello, UNSW Australia Eric Mamajek, JPL Jason Rowe, Universit? de Montr?al Jennifer Johnson, OSU Jennifer van Saders, Carnegie Luisa Rebull, Caltech Ruth Murray Clay, UCSC Susan Thompson, NASA Ames Important Dates: 26 Jan 2017 Registration and abstract submission open 31 Mar 2017 Abstract submission deadline 20 Apr 2017 Registration deadline for Foreign Nationals 15 May 2017 Registration deadline for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Conference Venue, Registration and Logistics: For more information, including registration details, please visit the conference website: https://keplerscience.arc.nasa.gov/scicon4/ Note that Wednesday afternoon (June 21) has been reserved for breakout sessions to enable the community to discuss and work on Kepler/K2 related projects. We envision that these sessions will be more hands-on ("unconference" sessions) compared to traditional talks, ideally with broad interest to the community. Examples for breakout sessions could include panel discussions, hack activities, work meetings of larger collaborations, or tutorials to use data/software products related to Kepler/K2. To submit a proposal for a breakout session please select the appropriate abstract preference during registration. Scientific Organizing Committee: Eric Agol, University of Washington (co-Chair) Daniel Huber, University of Hawaii (co-Chair) Natalie Batalha, NASA Ames Research Center (Kepler Project Scientist) Jessie Dotson, NASA Ames Research Center (K2 Project Scientist) Thomas Barclay, NASA Ames Research Center (Kepler/K2 Guest Observer Office Director) Jessie Christiansen, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute JJ Hermes, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Marc Pinsonneault, The Ohio State University Erin Ryan, SETI Institute Karl Stapelfeldt, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Rachel Street, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network Brad Tucker, Australian National University Local Organizing Committee: Mark Messersmith, NASA Ames Research Center (Chair) Knicole Col?n, NASA Ames Research Center Ellen O'Leary, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute Wendy Stenzel, NASA Ames Research Center -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au Sat Jan 28 10:15:40 2017 From: Paul.Francis at anu.edu.au (Paul Francis) Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017 23:15:40 +0000 Subject: [ASA] Call for 2.3m proposals Message-ID: Dear Observer, The closing date for observing proposals for time on the ANU/RSAA 2.3m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) in the quarter 1st MAY 2017 - 31st JULY 2017 is 23:59 February 15, 2016. Instruments available: Nasymth A: WiFeS Nasymth B: Imager or echelle. Observing proposals must be submitted electronically via the RSAA web pages. Full instructions are available at http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa. *************************** PLEASE NOTE *********************************** The ANU 2.3-metre telescope at Siding Spring Observatory is scientifically productive and a valuable resource for student training and instrument development. These diverse and significant benefits justify its continued operation for the foreseeable future. The full cost to the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) of operating the 2.3m telescope (including staff, maintenance and repairs) corresponds to approximately $1200 per night. To defray this cost, RSAA is offering priority on the 2.3m telescope to paying customers from Australia and elsewhere, while simultaneously ensuring a level of open access to astronomers at all Australian institutions. Starting this quarter, 30% of the telescope time will be allocated to paid priority proposals, which will need to contribute $400 per night towards the running costs of the telescope. The remaining 70% of the time is open-access and remains free. To be eligible to apply for open-access time, 50% or more of the proposers must be based at Australian institutions. There is a new LaTeX form this quarter, which asks you to list how many priority (paid) and open-access (free) nights you are requesting. PLEASE USE THE NEW FORM (or copy the two extra LaTeX lines into your old proposal). In future years the price of a priority night will increase and the fraction of open-access nights will decrease. Full details can be found at http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa/applying-time-rsaa-telescopes The latest information on using the telescope and its instruments can be found at http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/obsering-rsaa. *************************************************************************** If you have questions or technical problems in using the web-based submission process, please email tacinfo at mso.anu.edu.au. Paul Francis Chair, ANU TAC ============================= Prof. Paul Francis Astrophysicist Mt Stromlo Observatory, and the Physics Education Centre College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Building 38a, Tel 02 6125 2824 or 8031 The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia paul.francis at anu.edu.au http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/~pfrancis/ CRICOS Provider #00120C [cid:image002.png at 01D27007.77620440] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 14815 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: