Presidential Statement on the Attacks in Paris

The International Astronomical Union (IAU), with whom we so recently partnered on the XXIX IAU General Assembly in Honolulu, has issued a statement about last night's attacks in Paris. The IAU Secretariat, at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, is directly across the Seine from the locus of violence, only a few kilometers distant. Here is the full text of the IAU statement:

The International Astronomical Union is deeply shocked by the tragic events of Friday evening in Paris, where the IAU Headquarters are located, and the International Astronomical Union would like to express its sincere condolences to the affected families and its warm solidarity with the French people.

The International Astronomical Union condemns any form of violence and terrorism and hopes that astronomy, the oldest science, can help in promoting peace and tolerance, reminding everybody that we are living under the same starry sky.

As President of the American Astronomical Society, let me say on behalf of our members that we are thinking of our French colleagues and all the people of Paris at this moment, and that we offer them our deepest sympathies for this tragic and shocking event.