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AAS Division on Dynamical AstronomyNewsletter 77, June 1994 |
The 1994-95 Brouwer Award Selection Committee will be: Alan Boss (Chair), Alan Fiala, Jim Williams, Ken Seidelmann, and Alar Toomre.
The 1993-94 Brouwer Award Selection Committee was asked by the DDA Committee to review and recommend changes to the Brouwer Award rules. The BASC offered a set of changes that removed the gender specific language and addressed some minor inconsistencies in the rules. The rule changes that were recommended by the BASC were accepted by the DDA Committee. The BASC discussed at great length the question of whether or not to change the selection criteria guidelines, but found no consensus on that issue. The DDA Committee recognizes that there are still strong opinions about the need for changes in the Brouwer Award selection criteria guidelines. DDA members are urged to bring concrete ideas for changes to the selection criteria to the next Committee meeting. Anyone who would like a copy of the official Brouwer Award rules should contact the DDA Secretary.
All members are reminded that the BASC invites nominations from any
member of the American Astronomical Society. The Brouwer Award has been
established to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Dynamical
Astronomy, including celestial mechanics, astrometry, geophysics, stellar
systems, galactic and extragalactic dynamics. The contributions may have
elements of research, teaching, administration,
engineering, or other significant influence. It is open to candidates of any
age or nationality, occupation, or specific field of interest. The Award
consists of an honorarium plus an appropriate certificate. Letters of
nomination should cite the achievements in, or contributions to, Dynamical
Astronomy that might appropriately be recognized by the Award. Nominations
are to be supported by copies of the vitae and bibliography of the nominee
and by letters of recommendation from three knowledgeable people testifying
to the long-term impact of the nominee's contributions to Dynamical
Astronomy. Nominations and supporting documentation should be sent to the
following (from whom further information may be obtained) so as to be
received not later than December 28, 1994: Dr. Alan P. Boss, Carnegie
Institute of Washington, 5241 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, D.C.,
20015.
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Election Results
The new Chair for the 1994-95 year is Alan Fiala. Phil Ianna was elected
to serve as Vice Chair. Art Whipple was re-elected as Secretary and Peter
Shelus will continue as Treasurer. The new Committee members are John
Chandler, Paul Chodas, and Roy Laubscher. George Benedict, Tom Corbin, and
Joel Tohline will continue on their second year as Committee members. A
total of 76 election ballots (out of 220 members) was received by the
deadline and counted.
The 1994-95 Nominating Committee will be: Sethanne Howard, Alice Monet,
and Bill Kaula.
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DDA to Meet in Yosemite National Park, California on 24-26 April 1995
The DDA regular meeting for 1995 will be held in the Yosemite Lodge in
the park, on Monday through Wednesday, April 24-26, 1995. The Committee
meeting will probably be held on Sunday, the 23rd. Roy Laubscher is the
local host (Geodynamics Corporation, 5266 Hollister Ave., Suite 117, Santa
Barbara, CA 93111; telephone: 805-964-2814; FAX: 805-964-1070; no email
address). He, Phil Ianna, and Art Whipple will act as the organizing
committee. Abstracts of invited and contributed talks will be published in
the Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. The abstract deadline
will be at the end of March.
Yosemite is, of course, one of the jewels of the national park system. There are tremendous opportunities for hiking, camping, rock climbing, bus and tram tours, bicycling, ranger walks, and horse back riding. Details about the park and activities can be obtained by asking for the vacation planning materials from Yosemite reservations at (209) 252-4848. This will be a perfect meeting to bring your family. In late April the weather can be wet and/or cold so one should prepare accordingly.
Roy has made a block reservation for 60 rooms at the Lodge and 5 rooms at the Ahwahnee Hotel for the nights of April 23-26. The room block hold does not expire until 30 days prior to the meeting. Reservations for the blocked rooms will be by submission of a separate form at the time you fill out your meeting registration form early next year. Availability of rooms in the park outside the meeting dates is very limited. Try contacting Yosemite reservations at (209) 252-4848. You may also check with Roy for a list of nearby hotels outside the park. The estimated nightly rates for the rooms are $98 for a hotel room and $75 for a cabin with a bath. The nightly rate for the Ahwahnee Hotel will be higher. If you make reservations through Yosemite reservations, outside the block reservations, please send your plans to Roy so that he can make sure that the DDA gets credit for your reservation. The banquet fee will be about $30. Meals can be purchased in the Lodge for the customary restaurant prices. Picnicking supplies are readily available in the valley and can save the expense of some restaurant meals. The registration fee will be about $25.
Members can fly into either San Francisco or, better yet, into Fresno.
Yosemite is a four hour drive from San Francisco and a one and a half hour
drive from Fresno. Once arrived at the Lodge in Yosemite Valley, a car is
not necessary since there is excellent shuttle service around the valley;
therefore participants can save money by car pooling.
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DDA Student Meeting Stipend
The DDA Committee decided at its last meeting to award two stipends, of
$250 each, to students to help them attend the next DDA meeting. Only a one
year trial was decided upon but it is hoped and expected that this program
will become permanent. Details about applications will be forthcoming in
future Newsletters.
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Looking Ahead to 1996
The 1996 DDA meeting will be held in Washington, D.C. and hosted by the
U.S. Naval Observatory. The dates and other details are still to be
determined.
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Jack Wisdom Honored
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has awarded one of
their prestigious "genius grants" to Jack Wisdom, of MIT. The citation
described Jack as "a physicist who has significantly advanced the
understanding of solar system dynamics. Introducing new methods to the
study of dynamical problems, he has obtained important and widely-cited
results that create new insights into order and predictability in the laws
of nature." This is an exceptional honor and the DDA extends to Jack our
most sincere congratulations.
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