Association of Universities for Association of Universities for Research in AstronomyResearch in Astronomy

Presentation to

Subaru Users Committee

What is AURA?What is AURA?• AURA is a consortium of universities

founded in 1957• The mission of AURA is to establish and

operate public observatories• AURA membership now includes 33 U.S.

institutions and 7 international institutions. • AURA now manages four major observatories

– National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)– National Solar Observatory (NSO)– Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)– Gemini

AURA GrowthAURA Growth

AURA MEMBER INSTITUTIONS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005

Beginnings, “have not” universities

AURA becomesPolicy voice

AURA takes onHubble Space Telescope

Gemini era

Increased International

Linkages

AURA Members: InternationalAURA Members: International• Universidad de Chile—1992• Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile—1997• Australian National University—1999• Leiden University—2000• University of Toronto--2004• Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias—2005• Kiepenheuer-Institut fur Sonnenphysik—2005

Why Be An AURA MemberWhy Be An AURA MemberRole=VoiceRole=Voice

• Part of a very active network for communication and interaction and discussion of major policy issues.

• Role in guiding AURA and hence whatever AURA does to affect future directions in astronomy.

• Direct role in management of AURA centers through the AURA Board and Management Councils.

Why Does AURA Want Why Does AURA Want International Affiliates?International Affiliates?

• AURA has always included international participants on its Board and other governance– At least two of our twelve Board Members must be

international

• We view international collaborations as one way to meet US community needs.

• We believe that international collaborations need to be based on strong ties at the university community level.

Membership GuidelinesMembership Guidelines

• We emphasize links at the university level, rather than governmental entities per se

• Faculty of 5, generate at least a PhD per year

• Involvement in AURA programs and mission, e.g.– Service on councils, Board– Publications based on use of AURA facilities

Some Current AURA InterestsSome Current AURA Interests• Large Synoptic Survey Telescope: AURA is a

partner, LSST site in Chile• Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope: AURA is the

overall “Program Manager” to advise NSF on implementation: TMT, GMT, International

• Advanced Technology Solar Telescope: AURA is manager and operator

• National Virtual Observatory: AURA and AUI will form a joint management corporation

• James Webb Space Telescope: AURA will manage science operations

A Brief Look at Japanese A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA: NOAOInstitutions and AURA: NOAO

• Over the past 5 years (semesters 2003B-2008A) we have received 139 proposals with P-Is or Co-Is from Japanese institutions.  50 of these have been successful and gotten time.

• Within these 139 proposals, there are 118 different astronomers, from 24 different Japanese institutions.

A Brief Look at Japanese A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA: NSOInstitutions and AURA: NSO

• Traditionally have long term Japanese visiting scientists at NSO

• Dunn Solar Telescopes and SOLIS are providing collaborative data for the Hinode mission.

• AURA is interested in collaboration on the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, now in planning.

A Brief Look at Japanese A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA: STScIInstitutions and AURA: STScI

• No Japanese PIs for HST time.

• We would like to include Japanese members on our upcoming Time Allocation Committee

A Brief Look at Japanese A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA: GeminiInstitutions and AURA: Gemini

• Collaboration among MK Observatories is inherently productive.

• 5 nights per semester time exchange

• WFMOS is an ideal (but challenging) collaborative project.

ConclusionConclusion

• We would like to consider a Japanese member institution for AURA

• For further information go to

http://www.aura-astronomy.org/

BackupBackup

AURA GovernanceAURA Governance

AURA Board______________

Elected by Member Representatives

Observatory Council(Oversees NOAO)

Solar Observatory Council

(Oversees NSO)

Space TelescopeInstitute Council(Oversees STScI)

AURA PresidentEx Officio Member

Of Board andCouncils

AURA OversightCommittee for Gemini

(Oversees Gemini)

ACCORDAURA Coordinating

Council of ObservatoryResearch Directors

NOAOVisiting Committee

NSO Visiting Committee

Institute VisitingCommittee

Member RepresentativesMember Representatives

• Elect Board, elect Management Council slates.

• Maintain strong linkage to academia Broaden AURA’s role and viewpoint

• Forum for raising major concerns and policy issues

Membership GuidelinesMembership GuidelinesThe applicant institution should demonstrate that it has been successful in promoting astronomy in its own institution as evidenced by the quality, scope, and effectiveness of its astronomy program with these guidelines:

a. All Applicantsi. A staff of five or more faculty or equivalent; andii. A research program that, on assessment of its quality and effectiveness,

would place the applicant among the ranking of current AURA members.b. Universities

i. A graduate program leading to a doctorate in astronomy, astrophysics, or related studies; and

ii. An average of one or more doctorates awarded per year over a five-year period.

c. Other Nonprofit Institutions (e.g. Carnegie Observatory)i. Significant contributions to astronomical research through the operation of

facilities or sites or through other means; andii. Programs to promote astronomy, for example, through public or private

education.

Member Guidelines, Cont.Member Guidelines, Cont.

The applicant institution should have demonstrated an involvement in AURA's role and mission in astronomy through:

a. Publications by faculty or staff, and, if applicable, by students based upon data gathered at AURA facilities; and

b. Service by faculty or staff on AURA's Board of Directors or on AURA Centers' advisory or review committees, such as visiting, users, telescope time allocation, etc.

International MembersInternational Members

• Up to 20% of AURA membership can be international

• International members serve three year terms up to a total of nine years.

• AURA wants to make sure we sample different segments of the community

AURA Members: USAURA Members: US• Boston University—1993• Caltech—1972• Carnegie Institution—1997• Harvard—1957• Indiana University—1957• Iowa State—1992• Johns Hopkins—1982• MIT—1981• Michigan State—1997• Montana State—2005• New Mexico State U.—1999• Ohio State U—1957• Penn State U—1990• Princeton—1959• Rutgers U--1999• SUNY-Stonybrook--1986• University of Arizona--1972

• U. Cal Berkeley—2007• U. Cal Santa Cruz—1957• University of Chicago—1957• University of Colorado—1977• University of Florida—2002• University of Hawaii—1978• University of Illinois—1980• University of Maryland—1986• University of Michigan—1957• University of Minnesota—1995• University of North Carolina—1995• University of Texas—1972• University of Virginia—2003• University of Washington—1986• University of Wisconsin—1957• Yale University--1958

AURA ManagementAURA Management

AURA Board

AURA President

NOAO NSO STScIGemini

(Also reports toGemini Board)

AURA BoardAURA Board

• All authority flows from the AURA Board• Restructured in 1996 to ensure a more efficient,

conflict-free body.• 12 elected members

– At least 4 Member Representatives– 4 not Member Representatives– 2 from non-US institutions

• Management Council Chairs• President

Board ResponsibilitiesBoard Responsibilities

• Maintains financial authority– Approve budget– Approve proposals– Approve contracts

• Elects members of Management Councils• Appoints President, Center Directors, and

other top managers.• Establishes policy

Management CouncilsManagement Councils

• Dual role of advocating the mission of the AURA Center and conducting oversight

• Subsidiary body of AURA Board with delegated responsibilities for selecting staff, approving tenure, reviewing program plans, reviewing proposals, etc.

• Acquires in depth knowledge of the program• Mix of AURA and non-AURA related members• Acts as a conduit for bringing new ideas to the

program

AURA ImpactAURA Impact

• Major operator of US public observatories and proponent of public astronomy

• Active forum for addressing major policy issues for the community

• Strong international linkages and proponent of international collaboration

• Enabler of major community activities (e.g. workshops, science working groups, etc.)

• Direct influence on policy process and funding issues with the agencies, OMB, Congress, etc.

Giant Segmented Mirror TelescopeGiant Segmented Mirror Telescope• As a result of the SR, AURA (and hence Gemini)

will not be directly involved in any GSMT project. AURA to act as “National Program Manager”

• AURA defines role as:– Providing access to extremely large telescopes during

the JWST era, at a sufficient number of nights to meet community needs

– Providing direct support for operations that will ensure the efficient and effective use by community observers

– Ensuring that supporting facilities (the ensemble of telescopes comprising the US system) make it possible for investigators at all institutions to plan and execute programs on extremely large telescopes.

Nominating CommitteeNominating Committee

• Elected by the Member Representatives at the Annual Meeting.

• Consists of five individuals from Member Institutions.

• Prepares slate of candidates for:– Board of Directors– Chair of the Board – Chairs and Members of the Management Councils

Membership CommitteeMembership Committee

• Identifies and recommends new member institutions for corporate membership

• Advise on issues of current membership

Policy and Personnel Policy and Personnel CommitteeCommittee

• Review major policy issues and make recommendations at the request of the Chair (e.g. tenure policy, diversity, compensation and pay, etc.)

• Approve policy manual changes as needed

Comparable OrganizationsComparable OrganizationsOrganization AURA UCAR AUI URA USRA

Business

Diversity

Four major business units

Two major business units

One major business unit

Two major business

units

20 business units (varying

sizes)

Member Institutions

39 (some international)

69

(25 overlapping, some

international)

0

(9 Founding Institutions, 6 overlapping)

90

(30 overlapping)

97

(26 overlapping,

some international)

Governing Board

16 Board Members

20 Trustees 22 Trustees 17 Trustees 14 Trustees

Staff ~1000 ~1400 ~450 ~2000 420

Revenues ~$160 M $190 M ~$100 M $316 M ?