March Events in Astronomical Science Policy
Ashlee Wilkins
Welcome to the March 2018 monthly event roundup of the AAS Policy Blog, in which we share a list of events that fall under the umbrella of astronomical science — i.e., astrophysics, planetary science, and/or heliophysics — policy. Events might be congressional hearings, advisory committee meetings, Capitol Hill briefings, networking opportunities, and/or public lectures. Most events occur here in Washington, DC, are open to the public, and/or will be live streamed. Some may require advanced registration for in-person attendance (either for security or capacity reasons), and we try to note that in the listing. If an event is on this calendar, someone from the AAS Public Policy team will likely be in attendance, so come say hello!
Other relevant policy event calendars:
- Space Policy Online Event Calendar, for all things space, including civil, commercial, and defense
- American Institute of Physics FYI This Week, for recaps and events happening in physical sciences policy
Sometimes events are announced on timescales shorter than one month; we will update this post whenever we have something new to add. Please email us if you have a correction or an event that you think should be included in this roundup.
Beyond the events highlighted below, there are some other notable deadlines/important milestones coming up this month:
- 23 March: Current continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government's discretionary programs ends. Congress must either come to a final resolution for FY2018 federal spending or pass another CR to prevent a shutdown of the federal government.
- 14 March: AAS CVD 2018, where fifteen AAS members will visit their Senators and Representatives in Congress to advocate for the astronomical sciences. Follow @AAS_Policy on Twitter and #AASCVD2018 to get highlights of the visit day and the preceding trainings
March 2018 Events
Science Policy Happy Hour
Engaging Scientists and Engineers in Policy (ESEP)
1 March (Thursday)
5:30 pm − 7:30 pm
Mackey's Public House
1306 G Street NW
Washington, DC
Details and future ESEP events
Exoplanet Science Strategy
Board on Physics and Astronomy and Space Studies Board
6 − 7 March (Tuesday − Wednesday)
National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
The committee is accepting white papers until 9 March. Details and meeting agenda
Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe
Board on Physics and Astronomy and Space Studies Board
6 − 8 March (Tuesday − Thursday)
National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
Hearing: An Overview of the NASA Budget for Fiscal Year 2019
Space Subcommittee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
7 March (Wednesday)
10:00 am
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Space Technology Industry-Government-University Roundtable
Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board
9 March (Friday)
8:30 am - National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
Big Questions, Big Surveys, Big Data: Astronomy & Cosmology in the 2020s
Snowbird Workshop on Particle Astrophysics, Astronomy, and Cosmology (SnowPAC) 2018
11 − 16 March (Sunday − Friday)
Snowbird, Utah
Registration deadline is 11 March.
Details and Program
Hearing: National Laboratories: World-Leading Innovation in Science
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
14 March (Wednesday)
10:00 am
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
The Earliest Galaxies: Exploring Cosmic Sunrise with Hubble, Spitzer, and JWST (Garth Illingworth) John N. Bahcall Lecture
14 March (Wednesday)
8:00 pm
National Air and Space Museum
Washington, DC
Free, but tickets are required.
Details and ticket registration
Hearing: An Overview of the National Science Foundation Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2019
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
15 March (Thursday)
10:00 am
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Hearing: FY19 Budget Hearing -- Department of Energy
Subcommittee on Energy and Water, House Committee on Appropriations
15 March (Thursday)
10:00 am
2362-B Rayburn House Office Building
Science Committee
NASA Advisory Council (NAC)
20 − 21 March (Tuesday − Wednesday)
NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC
Hearing:Bill Markup
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
21 March (Wednesday)
10:00 am
2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Markup of H.R. ____, the “American Leadership in Space Technology and Advanced Rocketry Act”; H.R. ____, the “Commercial Space Support Vehicle Act”; H.R. 5086, the “Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2018”. Details and bill text
Space Sciences Week
27 − 29 March (Tuesday − Thursday)
National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue
Washington, DC
Space Sciences Week is a joint meeting of the space science discipline and standing committees of the Space Studies Board, Board on Physics and Astronomy, and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. Find more details and pre-register (required) for all or parts of the meeting here. There will be a public lecture at 7pm on 28 March on "The Gravitational Wave Astronomical Revolution," featuring David Reitze. Relevant committee meetings include: