Announcements

In this guest post, Jason Steffen (Northwestern University) describes his recent local visit with his House representative, Randy Hultgren. With Congress in recess, now is a good time to do a visit of your own!

The Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation (JAI) publishes papers describing astronomical instruments proposed, developed, under construction, and in use. Submissions are welcome!

AST director Jim Ulvestad provides updates on AAG research grants, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, the Mid-Scale Innovations Program, and the NRC study of the US OIR system.

The US National Committee for the IAU is now accepting applications for individual membership from US astronomers at least three years past completion of their PhD. Deadline: 15 December 2014.

The American Institute of Physics invites applications for its 2015-2016 State Department Science Fellowship, which is cosponsored by the AAS. Deadline: 1 November 2014.

Learn how to communicate more effectively with the press and public by attending the AAS/NRAO Science Communication Workshop on Sunday afternoon, 4 January, in Seattle.

With no dues increase and a "stellar" lineup of benefits, there isn't a better time than now to renew your commitment to the AAS.

The National Research Council’s Optical and Infrared System Study Committee requests white papers from the astronomy community to aid its work. Deadline: 6 October 2014.

Our membership and meetings teams are back up to full strength with the arrival of Diane Frendak, Director of Membership Services, and Lynn Ervin, Meeting Services Specialist.

Grab your coffee mug and make your travel plans for the 225th AAS meeting, when the Society returns to the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, 4-8 January 2015.

The International Astronomical Union invites proposals from the global astronomical community to renew existing IAU Commissions or to create new ones. Letters of intent are due by 15 October 2014.

NASA announces its annual invitation for service on its science advisory subcommittees, which report to the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory Council. Nominations are due by 1 October 2014.

The US Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Science Working Group seeks input on how you would use TMT for your scientific research and on how to maximize the facility's scientific return. Deadline: 6 October 2014.

Our third annual AAS Astronomy Ambassadors workshop on effective outreach will be held at the 225th AAS meeting in Seattle, Washington, in January. Applications are due by 20 October 2014.

You're invited to submit an abstract for the 225th AAS meeting in Seattle in January to share ideas for astronomy-themed public-outreach events and programs for the International Year of Light 2015.