Why You Should Attend the IAU General Assembly
Kevin Marvel American Astronomical Society (AAS)
The 29th General Assembly (GA) of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is coming up this August in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the AAS is handling the logistics for the conference. This triennial gathering of world astronomers plays a central role in our discipline and has done so since the first such assembly was held in 1922.
At the GA important policy decisions are made, covering everything from establishing coordinate systems to naming celestial objects. Discussions are held on key topics that enable astronomy to move forward, and individuals interested in particular research areas gather to brainstorm about how to make additional progress. In concert with the administrative deliberations, a half dozen scientific symposia are held along with nearly two dozen shorter focus meetings, all of which provide venues for presentation, discussion, and dissemination of research results. Numerous oral and poster presentations combine with several invited discourses to make the scientific content of the meeting exciting and valuable.
The IAU has greatly increased its efforts in helping foster astronomy as a discipline worldwide, by organizing schools in developing countries designed to expose students to astronomy as a research enterprise, by engaging in public outreach and education through multiple programs, and by promoting and highlighting astronomy in general. These programs and the people who help make them happen, many of them volunteers, all gather at the General Assembly as well.
In sum, the GA serves as a truly universal gathering of astronomers, designed to foster and enhance our discipline for the future. Participating means that you are an astronomer and are playing a key role in our field. You do not have to be an IAU member to attend. Missing the GA means you’re missing out on the science, the collaboration, the cooperation, and the impact of this major conference.
I look forward to seeing you in Hawaii in August. It will be great to have a significant showing of American astronomers at this General Assembly in particular, the first hosted by the US in 27 years.
Travel Grants Available for Astronomers in the US
If you're interested in attending this summer's IAU GA and you work in the US, here's some good news: The deadline to apply for an AAS International Travel Grant for the Honolulu GA has been extended till 1 April 2015. (Applications for travel grants to other international meetings held between now and 31 August 2015 were due by 9 January.)
You do not have to be a member of the AAS to apply for an International Travel Grant, but you do have to be currently employed in the US or with a US institution. Note that there are restrictions on how the funds are used, which will be communicated to fund recipients along with their awards. Chief among the restrictions is that you must use US flag carriers except in certain circumstances, you must use the funds only for direct travel between the US and the meeting location, and you must use the funds for airfare only (not, e.g., for baggage fees or in-flight meals).
AAS International Travel Grant funds are targeted for (in priority order) early-career scientists, scientists from smaller institutions or from underserved populations, and scientists whose participation at the meeting is important for US visibility.
When completing the application, be sure to supply an accurate price quote for your airline travel on a US flag carrier. Cheaper fares on non-US-flag carriers do not improve your funding chances, as you must fly on a US flag carrier whenever and wherever possible.
To apply:
- Use our convenient online application form
- Use our PDF form, linked below under Resources