The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of universities and other institutions that operates astronomical observatories and telescopes.
Centers
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.
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
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.
United States
International affiliates
Honours
The asteroid 19912 Aurapenenta was named in honour of the association's fiftieth anniversary, on 1 June 2007.†
External links
