Organizations and Strategies in Astronomy

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.

Inhalt

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 Astrofísica 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.