On 28 October, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy celebrated its 40th anniversary. A consortium of educational and other non-profit institutions, AURA was incorporated in 1957 in the state of Arizona to develop and operate national and international centers that enable merit-based research by members of the astronomical community.
This milestone event was marked by an "All-Hands" meeting in the University of Arizona's Gallagher Theater, where AURA President Goetz K. Oertel addressed the Tucson-based NOAO and Gemini staff.
"My vision is that the national observatories will remain at the forefront. They will be second to none in science and in service. They will also be the most cost effective. And, we will see continual renewal in them," Oertel said. A reception in the NOAO courtyard followed.
Similar events were held at the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak (in conjunction with NSO/SP's 50-year anniversary) in September and in November in both Washington, DC, and at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore (in conjunction with meetings of the AURA Board). Observances are also planned at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile and the Gemini facilities in Hilo, Hawaii.
Lorraine Reams