Organizations and strategies in astronomy

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Organizations and strategies in astronomy

edited by André Heck

（Astrophysics and space science library, v.256, v.266, v.280, v.296, v.310, v.335, v.343）

Kluwer Academic Publishers, c2000-

  • [vol. 1]
  • vol. 2
  • vol. 3
  • vol. 4
  • vol. 5
  • vol. 6
  • vol. 7

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Publisher of v.1-5: Kluwer Academic Publishers, of v.6-: Springer

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

[vol. 1] ISBN 9780792366713

Description

Research and publications in the field of Astronomy have undergone dramatic changes in the last half-century. While activities just slowed down during World War II in the US and in Latin America, they were very strongly affected by the difficult conditions prevailing among the European belligerent nations. Half a century ago, re search activities were mostly confined to observatories (linked or not to universities) and usually separated from the teaching of physical sciences. Hence, directors of observatories played an important role in the choice of the research fields, and "schools" of research appeared at various places, de veloping specific instrumentation, reduction techniques and mathematical methods to achieve their scientific goals. Reorganising the research activities after the war was no minor under taking, specially because communications were interrupted for over five years and isolated continental Europe from overseas activities. Scarcity of observing instruments (some of them being requisitioned by occupy ing armies) , enormous gaps in the available litterature led to local research activities, conducted independently of similar efforts undertaken elsewhere.

Table of Contents

  • Foreword
  • L. Houziaux. Introduction
  • A. Heck. Astronomy-Related Organizations: Geographical Distributions, Ages and Sizes
  • A. Heck. The Astronomische Gesellschaft: Pieces from its History
  • W. Pfau. What Can We Learn from Publications Studies? H.A. Abt. Observation of Scientific Publications in Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • L. Esterle. The Refereeing System in Astronomy
  • S.R. Pottasch. NASA Program Solicitations, Proposal Evaluations, and Selection of Science Investigations
  • J.D. Bohlin. Planning and Implementation of ESA's Space Science Programme
  • S. Volonte. Communicating in Astronomy
  • A. Heck. The Problem of English as a Foreign Language in Professional Astronomy
  • T.J. Mahoney, et al. Astronomy and the General Public: A Historical Perspective
  • J. Meadows, et al. The Conferences on `The Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena': Excursions into `Cross-Overs' between Science, the Arts and Literature
  • R.E. White. Bibliography of Socio-Astronomy.
Volume

vol. 2 ISBN 9780792371724

Description

Seated in a sun-lit corner of his 17th century Dutch house, his hand touching a celestial globe, Johannes Vermeer's "Astronomer" seems to pon der about the mysteries of the universe. We might make the trip to Paris and ask him, in the Louvre, what precisely is on his mind. Unfortunately, there will be no answer. But we do know what his mind was not on. It was not on the approaching deadlines for the proposals he would have to write for getting funds and telescope-time, not on the meeting of the observing programs committee, not on his refereeing duty for the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, nor on his university's tightening budget for science. In the Kapteyn Institute at Groningen I stand face to face with the im pressive portrait of J.C. Kapteyn, painted in the year 1918. Seated at his desk he is doing his calculations with pen, pencil and tables, perhaps check ing the work of his skilled staff of human computers. Early in his career he had completed his magnum opus, the Cape Photographic Durchmusterung in collaboration with his close friend David Gill at Capetown, South Africa.

Table of Contents

  • Foreword
  • A. Blaauw. Introduction. Strategies for Bringing a 19th-Century Observatory up to the Standards of 21st-Century Astronomy
  • M. Golay. IUCAA: A New Experiment for Indian Universities
  • J.V. Narlikar. Background and Achievements of UN/ESA Workshops on Basic Space Science 1991-2001
  • H.J. Haubold. Organising and Funding Research at a European Level
  • A.E.S. Mayer. OPTICON: EC Optical Infrared Coordination Network for Astronomy
  • G. Gilmore. Coordinating Multiple Observatory Campaigns
  • K.A. Petterson, et al. New Strategies in Ground-Based Observing
  • I. Robson. Large Surveys in Cosmology: The Changing Sociology
  • O. Lahav. The ESO Observing Programmes Committee
  • J. Breysacher, C. Waelkens. Astronomical Software Strategies
  • K. Shortridge. Scientometrics: The Research Field and its Journal
  • A. Schubert. Comments on Refereeing
  • H.A. Abt. Communicating and Networking in Astronomy Libraries
  • U. Grothkopf. Editing the Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • P. Murdin. Editing a Multilingual Astronomy Magazine
  • N. Cramer. Working with the Media: The Royal Astronomical Society Experience
  • J. Mitton. Creativity in Arts and Sciences: A Survey
  • A. Heck. Updated Bibliography of Socio-Astronomy.
Volume

vol. 3 ISBN 9781402008122

Description

We have arrived at the third volume of this useful series on Organiza tions and Strategies in Astronomy (OSA). It contains seventeen articles on a wide range of topics, from virtual observatories, astronomy organizations in various communities (Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, South Africa), and the role of ground stations in space observatories, to quality assurance in UK higher education. In this foreword, I shall give some views on ideas expressed in this volume, in particular from my personal experience when I was project officer for the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). Let me first remind readers that present and future astronomy is in creasingly dependent on high-level management. Not everybody knows that the scheduling of the Hubble Space Telescope is performed by a neural network software called SPIKE, described in the stimulating workshop New Observing Modes for the Next Centuryl, partly reported in OSA Volume II by 1. Robson. New observing facilities, in space or on the ground, are so complex that they need highly qualified engineers and rigorous management procedures. Each observing hour on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) fa cility is worth about EUR 7,000, including the amortization of the capital expenses over 30 years. This does not leave much room for amateurism, neither in the time allocation procedures, nor in the daily telescope control.

Table of Contents

  • Foreword
  • R. Cayrel. Editorial. Close Encounters of the Third Kind with the Hubble Space Telescope
  • C. Nicollier. Public Relations for a National Observatory
  • D.G. Finley. Popularizing Astronomy: Four Decades as a Galley Slave
  • L.J. Robinson. The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Astrophysics at Garching-Munich
  • J. Trumper. Quality Assurance in UK Higher Education
  • V. Shrimplin. NSF Evaluation Processes in the Astronomical Sciences
  • E.D. Friel. Scientific Impact of Large Telescopes
  • C.R. Benn. The Role of Ground Stations in Space Observatories
  • V. Claros, D. Ponz. Some Thoughts about the Virtual Observatory Concept
  • P. Benvenuti. Organizational Issues in Large Scientific Projects
  • D. Enard. The History of the Joint Organization for Solar Observations (JOSO) 1969-2000
  • P.N. Brandt, W. Mattig. Optical Astronomy and South Africa. Part I, To 1994
  • M. Feast. Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Czech Republic
  • J. Palous, J. Vondrak. Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Slovak Republic
  • V. Rusin, et al. Historians and Astronomers: Same Pursuits? J.B. Stein. The View from the Observatory: History is Too Important to be Left to the Historians
  • D.E. Osterbrock. Updated Bibliography of Socio-Astronomy.
Volume

vol. 4 ISBN 9781402015267

Description

This book offers a unique collection of chapters dealing with socio-dynamical aspects of the astronomy (and related space sciences) community: characteristics of organizations, society activities, strategies for development, operational techniques, observing practicalities, environmental constraints, educational policies, public outreach, journal and magazine profiles, publication studies, electronic-media problematics, research communication, evaluation and selection procedures, research indicators, national policies and specificities, expertise sharing, contemporary history, and so on.
Volume

vol. 5 ISBN 9781402025709

Description

Anyone who doubts that astronomy is enjoying a golden age has only to browse the pages of Organizations and Strategies in Astronomy, Vol. 5. Our golden age is defined not only by the enormity of new discoveries of dark energy, dark matter, extra-solar planets, and the evolution of Mars, but also by the breadth, diversity, and creativity within our community. This volume records our history, in a period of such rapid change and growth that individual astronomers are hard-pressed to keep abreast of their own fields and neighborhoods, much less of developments world-wide. Since the 1950's, changes in the landscape of astronomy are manifold. We have witnessed two epochs of big telescope construction, the 4-meter class telescopes of the '60s and '70s and the 8-to lO-meter class telescopes of the '90s, continuing through today. We accomplished the transition from photographic to digital data, and we continue to improve the size and sen sitivity of astronomical detectors. We have witnessed the flowering of radio astronomy and the opening of the full electromagnetic spectrum through space astronomy. We have seen the growth of national and international astronomy facilities, and a dramatic broadening of the accessibility of data, both through observing facilities available through open competition based on scientific merit and through deep, rich archives of data.

Table of Contents

Foreword C. Pilachowski. Editorial A. Heck. Astronomy in Antarctica M.G. Burton. Optical Astronomy in Post-Apartheid South Africa: 1994 to 2004 P.A. Whitelock. The Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC): Its Role in Leading the Development of Spanish Astrophysics F. Sanchez. The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes from a Historic Perspective R. Rutten and J. Mendez. Astronomy in Ireland E.J.A. Meurs. Switzerland towards ESA end ESO: Diversity, Perseverance, and Diplomacy - An Interview with Marcel Golay. Observing in Service Mode: The Experience at the European Southern Observatory F. Comeron. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) W.R. Dick and B. Richter. Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology in the Max Planck Society J. Trumper. Statistics on Women in the IAU Membership S. Debarbat. The A&A Experience with Impact Factors A. Sandqvist. The Public Impact of the Hubble Space Telescope: A Case Study C.A. Christian. Astronomy for Blind and Visually-Impaired People N.A. Grice. Popularization of Astronomy in the Netherlands C. de Jager. Ludek Pesek's Role as Space Artist N. Cramer. Ruminations on the Evolving Universe and a Creator God G.V. Coyne. Updated Bibliography of Socio-Astronomy.
Volume

vol. 6 ISBN 9781402040559

Description

When I wasa child, growing up in South America,I often went camping in the wild and hence had direct access to the wondrous Southern sky; the Southern Cross was all mine at the time. Little did I know then that the study of the sky would take such a huge importance in my life, and that in the end astronomy and astrophysics would in many ways become my country and my religion. I have lived in several di?erent countries, and when asked my nationality, I am always very tempted to reply: astronomer. I started as a theorist, and my only dream in my youth was to spend nights thinking and calculating, with paper and pencil, and to have the impression by dawn that I had understood something new. So at the time astronomy was seen or dreamt by me as a solitary endeavour, with periodic encounters with my wise adviser and professors; it is this model that I adopted when doing my PhD work. My generation has lived through many revolutions of all kinds. Those in astronomy, I believe, remain particularly remarkable, and I am a true product of them. Now, I elect to live and work in large organizations, and to share my endeavours with many people. And I relish the series of Andr e Heck on Organizations and Strategies in Astronomy, which help us recover our memories, reconstitute our own story, and read with glee about our neighbouring or far-away colleagues.

Table of Contents

* Foreword (C. Cesarsky/ESO) * Editorial * The Evolving Sociology of Ground-Based Optical and Infrared Astronomy at the Start of the 21st Century (J.R. Roy & M. Mountain/Gemini Obs.) * Building Astronomy Research Capacity in Africa (P. Martinez/SAAO) * Astronomy in New Zealand (J.B. Hearnshaw/Univ. Canterbury) * The Current State of Austrian Astronomy (S. Schindler/Univ. Innsbruck) * Challenges and Opportunities in Operating a High-Altitude Site (R. Stencel/Denver Univ.) * An Insider's Perspective on Observing Time Selection Committees (J.L. Linsky/JILA) * Evaluation and Selection of Solar Observing Programs (H. Uitenbroek/NSO) * Evaluation and Selection of Radio Astronomy Programs: The Case of the lOOm Radio Telescope at Effelsberg (R. Schwartz, A. Kraus & J.A. Zensus/MPIfR) * The Development of HST Science Metrics (J.P. Madrid, F.D. Macchetto, Cl. Leitherer/STScI & G. Meylan/EPFL) * The Science News Metrics (C.A. Christian/STScI & G. Davidson/Northrop Grumman) * A Citation-Based Measure of Scientific Impact Within Astronomy (F.R. Pearce/Nottingham Univ. & D.A. Forbes/SwinbUrne Univ.) * A Comparison of Citation Counts in the Science Citation Index and the NASA Astrophysics Data System (H.A. Abt/KPNO) * Letters to the Editor of the AAS Newsletter: A Personal Story (J.L. Linsky/JILA) * Space Law (J. Hermida/Daihousie Univ.) * Search Strategies for Exoplanets (R. Rebolo/IAC) * IAU Initiatives Relating to the Near Earth-Object Impact Hazard (H. Rickman/Uppsala Obs.) * AFOEV: Serving Variable-Star Observers since 1921 - An Interview withEmile Schweitzer/AFOEV * The International Planetarium Society: A Community of Planetarians Facing the Challenges of the 21st Century (C.C. Petersen/Loch Ness Prod.) * The Hands-On Universe Project (R. Ferlet/IAP & C.R. Pennypacker/UCB) * Outreach from the Jodrell Bank Observatory (I. Morison & T. O'Brien/JBO) * Astronomy Multimedia Public Outreach in France and Beyond (A. Cirou/Ciel & Espace) * Astronomers and the Media: What Reporters Expect (T. Siegfried & A. Witze/Dallas Morning News & Nature) * Updated Bibliography of Socio-Astronomy
Volume

vol. 7 ISBN 9781402053009

Description

Astronomy isthemostancientsciencehumanshavepracticedonEarth. Itisascienceofextremesandoflargenumbers:extremesoftime-fromthe big bang to in?nity -, of distances, of temperatures, of density and masses, ofmagnetic?eld,etc.Itisasciencewhichishighlyvisible,notonlybecause stars and planets are accessible in the sky to the multitude, but also - cause the telescopes themselves are easily distinguishable, usually on top of scenic mountains, and also because their cost usually represent a subst- tialproportionofthenation'sbudgetandofthetaxpayerscontributionsto that budget. As such, astronomy cannot pass unnoticed. It touches on the origins of matter, of the Universe where we live, on life and on our destiny. It touches on philosophy as well as on religion. Astronomy is the direct c- tactofhumankindwithitsoriginsandtheimmensityofuniversalnature.It is indeed a science of observation where experimentation is practically - possible and which is ruled by mathematics, physics, chemistry, statistical analysis and modelling, while o?ering the largest number of veri?cations of the most advanced theories of fundamental physics such as general r- st ativity and gravitation. At the beginning of the 21 century astronomy is clearly a multidisciplinary activity touching on all aspects of science. It is therefore logical that in the past and still now, astronomy has attracted the most famous scientists, be they pure observers, mathematicians, physicists, biologists, experimentalists, and even politicians.

Table of Contents

Foreword,- Editorial 1,- British Astronomy,- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Physics in Greece,- Astronomy in Ukraine,- Focussing European Astronomy,- The International Space Science Institute (ISSI),- The International Space University (ISU),- EuroPlaNet: European Planetology Network,- RadioNet: Advanced Radio Astronomy Across Europe,- Selecting and Scheduling Observing Proposals at NRAO Telescopes,- Selecting and Scheduling Observations at the IRAM Observatories,- Selecting, Scheduling and Carrying out Observing Programmes at CFHT,- The Scholarly Journals of the American Astronomical Society,- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,- Astronomy & Astrophysics,- LISA - The Library and Information Services in Astronomy Conferences,- The ADS Success Story,- The Progressive World Penetration of the Strasbourg Astronomical Data Center (1970-1990),- The Genesis of the IAU WG on Astronomical Data,- Biographical Sources for Astronomers,- German Astronomy in the Third Reich,- The Psychology of Physical Science,- Thinking Like an Astronomer,- Mercury Magazine: The Incarnation of a Society,- Sterne und Weltraum,- Communicating Astronomy with the Public and the Washington Charter,- Communicating X-Ray Astronomy,- Establishing an Effective Education and Public Outreach Program at Gemini Observatory,- Public Outreach at The University of Texas McDonald Observatory,- The Europlanetarium Genk,- The INSAP V Experience on Art and Astronomy,- What Does the New Climate for Dialogue and Debate Mean for Communicating Astronomy?,- Communicating Astronomy,- Updated Bibliography of Socio-Astronomy.

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