Astronomy news

• HAD Seeks Interviewees for Oral History Project in Honolulu

  06-05-2015 23:54
  The AAS Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) has been running an oral history project for two years, partially funded by the American Institute of Physics Niels Bohr Library, with ongoing funding coming from the AAS. For the XXIX International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii, 3-14 August 2015, we will be conducting oral history interviews with AAS members and international attendees.
  What is an oral history interview? It's more than just an interview. Emphasis is
  
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• Changes Proposed to Export Control Regulations on Optics

  06-05-2015 23:39
  The US Departments of State and Commerce recently issued proposed changes to export control regulations covering optical equipment. The public comment period ends 6 July.
  Details about the proposed changes are available at these two URLs:
  https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/05/05/2015-10353/revisions...
  https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/05/05/2015-09673/amendment...
  Some in the optics and photonics community have expressed concerns with the proposed changes. Our sister soc
  
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• A Response to Community Concerns About Our Professional Climate

  06-05-2015 21:42
  President's Column
  Dear Colleagues:
  Many of you are aware of the current public debate over one of the two US-led giant segmented mirror telescope projects — a top priority in the past two astronomy and astrophysics decadal surveys. While most of us have handled discussion and debate over this issue in a respectful and fair manner, a few remarks disrespectful to indigenous groups have tarnished the debate and greatly offended members of our community.
  I wish to express the American Astronomic
  
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• A hot start to the origin of life?

  06-05-2015 15:52
  
  Researchers have shown for the first time that cosmic hot spots, such as those near stars, could be excellent environments for the creation of molecular precursors to DNA.
  
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• Improved detection of radio waves from space

  06-05-2015 14:45
  
  Researchers have developed a very sensitive high frequency amplifier for radio telescopes used on Earth. The amplifier generates extremely little internal electromagnetic noise and will help measure our planet from space more precisely than ever before. The position of radio telescopes will be pinpointed with a precision to approximately one millimeter -- a tenfold improvement in accuracy. The measurement technique relies on radio telescopes picking up radio waves emitted by objects in space; th
  
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• Space debris from satellite explosion increases collision risk for space craft

  06-05-2015 14:45
  
  Debris from the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F13 satellite, which recently exploded in orbit, could pose a threat to other spacecraft and missions according to new research. On 3 February 2015, the DMSP F13 satellite exploded in orbit producing over an estimated 100 pieces of space debris that were detected using radar. In assessing how debris created by the explosion might affect their spacecraft, the European Space Agency and other satellite operators concluded that it wo
  
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