News

With no dues increase and a "stellar" lineup of benefits, there isn't a better time than now to renew your commitment to the AAS.

The conference, in February 2015, will celebrate what has been done with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), what is being done with NEOWISE, and what will be done in the future.

Our third annual AAS Astronomy Ambassadors workshop on effective outreach will be held at the 225th AAS meeting in Seattle, Washington, in January. Applications are due on Monday, 20 October 2014.

The latest report from the American Institute of Physics Statistical Research Center describes what physics and astronomy master's-degree recipients were doing one year after leaving their departments.

At a conference in Graz in late September, delegates explored possible actions and activities that could be conducted under the leadership of the United Nations or in cooperation with other relevant entities.

Everyone who belongs to the AAS receives the magazine Physics Today as a member benefit. The latest issue is now en route to subscribers' mailboxes and can be accessed online.

The Lecar Prize recognizes exceptional contributions to the study of extrasolar planets in particular and theoretical astrophysics in general. Nominations are now welcome. Deadline: 30 November 2014.

As of 1 October the NASA archives will sustain the key components of the US Virtual Astronomical Observatory infrastructure.

The US Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Science Working Group seeks input on how you would use TMT for your scientific research and on how to maximize the facility's scientific return. Deadline: 6 October 2014.

The AAS Employment Committee and others have arranged an excellent lineup of professional development workshops at the winter meeting in Seattle, Washington. Register now!

A $10,000 prize lectureship for the best postdoctoral scholar from all fields related to origins is being offered by the Origins Project at Arizona State University. Nomination deadline: 1 December 2014.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy seeks applications for its Spring 2015 Internship Program from college students who are US citizens. Deadline: 17 October 2014.

Lynne Hillenbrand, chair of the US National Committee for the International Astronomical Union, shares information about next year's General Assembly. IAU membership applications are due 15 December 2014.

In this guest post, Jason Steffen (Northwestern University) describes his recent local visit with his House representative, Randy Hultgren. With Congress in recess, now is a good time to do a visit of your own!

The Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation (JAI) publishes papers describing astronomical instruments proposed, developed, under construction, and in use. Submissions are welcome!