Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of universities and other institutions that operates astronomical observatories and telescopes. AURA recognizes its mission statement as "To promote excellence in astronomical research by providing access to state-of-the-art facilities."
Founded October 10, 1957 with the encouragement of the NSF, AURA was incorporated by a group of seven U.S. universities (California, Chicago, Harvard, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin). The first meeting of the Board of Directors took place in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today, AURA has 32 U.S. Member Institutions and 7 International Affiliate members.
AURA began as a small organization dedicated to ground-based optical astronomy, managing a range of 1- to 4-meter telescopes and providing community advocacy for optical/infrared astronomy. Over the years, AURA expanded its focus to include Solar Astronomy and the Gemini 8-meter telescopes, going on to partner with other consortia such as WIYN (Wisconsin Indiana Yale & NOAO) and SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research). In the 1980s, AURA took on the management of the Space Telescope Science Institute, opening up the ultraviolet, optical, and infrared wavelength bands in space with the Hubble Space Telescope. AURA is furthering its aims in infrared space astronomy through the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
The organization is responsible for the operation of several world-class observatories, known as "AURA centers": the Gemini Observatory; the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO); the National Solar Observatory (NSO); the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI); and the AURA Observatory (AURA-O).
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[edit] Centers
- Gemini Observatory managed by AURA for an international partnership to operate twin telescopes, one on Mauna Kea in Hawaii and the other on Cerro Pachon in Chile.
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) - AURA operates NOAO telescopes at Kitt Peak in Arizona and Cerro Tololo in Chile.
- National Solar Observatory (NSO) - AURA operates NSO conducting research at Sacramento Peak in New Mexico and at Kitt Peak in Arizona.
- Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) - AURA manages STScI for NASA to carry out the scientific mission of the Hubble Space Telescope.
- New Initiative Office (NIO) - AURA established the NIO to work towards construction of a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope.
[edit] President
President: Dr. William S. Smith, Jr
Dr. Smith was appointed President of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) in February 2000. The President, as the chief executive officer, serves as the primary representative or spokesperson for AURA. The President is a member of the Board of Directors and implements policy decisions of the Board. The President serves the Board of Directors as its principal executive officer, providing leadership and guidance on policy matters, coordinating the activities of the Board and its various committees. The President is also responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with AURA Member Universities.
Prior to his appointment with AURA, Dr. Smith served 14 years as a professional staff member in various capacities on the House Committee on Science. He acted as Science Advisor from 1985 to 1988 and was then appointed Staff Director, Subcommittee on Space.
[edit] AURA Board of Directors
The Board, which meets quarterly, establishes the policies of AURA, approves its budget, elects members of the Management Councils, and appoints the President, the Center Directors, and other principal officers. The Board of Directors is responsible to the Member Representatives for the effective management of AURA and the achievement of its purposes.
Dr. Bruce Carney (Chair) Arts & Sciences Dean's Office , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Frederic Chaffee University of North Carolina
Dr. Peter Gilman High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Dr. Heidi Hammel Space Science Institute
Dr. Timothy Heckman Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Lynne Hillenbrand Astronomy and Astrophysics, California Institute of Technology
Dr. Elizabeth Hoffman Iowa State University
Dr. Jeffrey Kuhn Institute for Astronomy/University of Hawaii
Dr. Malcolm Longair Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Dr. John Peoples Jr. Fermilab
Prof. Bradley Peterson Department of Astronomy, Ohio State University
Dr. Caty Pilachowski (Vice Chair) Astronomy Department, Indiana University
Dr. Maria Teresa Ruiz Departamento de Astronomia, Universidad de Chile
Prof. Penny Sackett Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, The Australian National University
Dr. Michael Shull Dept. Of Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado
Dr. William Smith (ex officio) AURA
Dr. Paula Szkody Astronomy Department, University of Washington
[edit] Members
Members have been distinguished between being: a) Private, or Public Institutes, b) Whether the focus is on Education or Research at the Institute, and c) The level of education provided according to a tiered system. The Carnegie Institution, is the exception, as it is less of a school, and more of a research organization.
[edit] United States
- Boston University (Private Research University)
- California Institute of Technology (Private Research University)
- Carnegie Institution of Washington (Research Organization)
- Georgia State University (Public Research University)
- Harvard University (Private Educational University)
- Indiana University (Public Research University)
- Iowa State University (State College)
- Johns Hopkins University (Private Research University)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Private Research University)
- Michigan State University (State College)
- Montana State University (State College)
- New Mexico State University (State College)
- Ohio State University (State College)
- Pennsylvania State University (State College)
- Princeton University (Private Research University)
- Rutgers University (Public Research University)
- State University of New York (State College)
- University of Arizona (Public Research University)
- University of California, Berkeley (Public Research University)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (Public Research University)
- University of Chicago (Private Research University)
- University of Colorado (Public Research University)
- University of Florida (Public Research University)
- University of Hawaii (Public Educational University)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Public Research University)
- University of Maryland, College Park (Public Research University)
- University of Michigan (Public Research University)
- University of Minnesota (Public Educational University)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Public Research University)
- University of Texas at Austin (Public Research University)
- University of Virginia (Public Research University)
- University of Washington (Public Research University)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (Public Research University)
- Yale University (Private Educational University)
[edit] International affiliates
- Swinburne University (Public Research University)
- Kiepenheuer Institut fuer Sonnenphysik (Research Institute)
- Leiden University (Public Research University)
- Universidad de Chile (Public Educational University)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Private Educational University)
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Public Educational University)
- Australian National University (Public Research University)
[edit] Honours
The asteroid 19912 Aurapenenta was named in honour of the association's fiftieth anniversary, on 1 June 2007.†
