RAS E-CIRCULAR, 2005 October
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http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=781&Itemid=116
Greetings at the start of the 2005/6 session!
* RAS meetings - Oct 14
Science from La Palma - Looking Beyond 2009
Connecting the Sun to the Earth
Astronomy & Geophysics open meeting
* Nominations sought for RAS awards (October 31 deadline)
* Students - join until the end of 2006 for a pound!
* Recent RAS statements & press releases
* Science Media Centre - 'Introduction to the News Media' Event
* Reminders
* Congratulations
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OCTOBER RAS MEETINGS, 2005 FRIDAY OCTOBER 14
Further details at
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=227#oct
The Specialist Discussion Meetings (9:30/10:30-15:30) are on
* Science from La Palma - Looking Beyond 2009
(Geological Society Lecture Theatre)
* Connecting the Sun to the Earth
(Society of Antiquaries Lecture Theatre)
These meetings are open to all, with modest admission fees for
non-Fellows (£15; £5 for students).
The programme of talks in the subsequent Astronomy & Geophysics
meeting (16:00-18:00), of more general interest, is:
Dr Danny Lennon - The Magellanic Clouds: Laboratories for
understanding Massive Stars
Prof Jim Emerson - Opportunities with VISTA
Prof Gillian Foulger - Hot Spots and the Mantle Plume Controversy
Dr Rene Rutten - Scientific prospects of the laser guide-star
system on the WHT
These talks will be preceded by presentations of
the Gold Medal in Astronomy, to Geoffrey & Margaret Burbidge;
the Price Medal, to Gillian Foulger;
the Eddington Medal, to Rudolf Kippenhahn;
the RAS Award for Service to Astronomy, to Guy Hurst;
the RAS Award for Service to Geophysics, to Alan Douglas; and
the RAS Michael Penston Prize, to Haley Gomez.
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NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR RAS AWARDS ***DEADLINE OCTOBER 31***
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=244&Itemid=104
Every year, the RAS makes a number of awards in response to
nominations submitted by its Fellows. The awards acknowledge
excellence at all levels, from the Fowler Awards, specifically
targeted at recognizing noteworthy contributions by younger
scientists, to the Gold Medals, often given for a lifetime's
outstanding achievements.
Nominations for awards to be made in 2006 are now being solicited. Of
course, the Society can only make awards to scientists who have been
nominated, so this is an important opportunity for the entire RAS
community to provide crucial input to a high-profile function of the
Society. Nominations are welcome from any Fellow - you don't have to
be a potential prizewinner yourself in order to put forward a name,
and nominations from postgraduate students will receive the same
consideration as those from former Presidents of the Society (is your
thesis supervisor the greatest thing since sliced bread?).
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JOIN FOR A POUND!
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=148&Itemid=94
If you're a university lecturer, you might point out to your new
students (both postgrad and undergrad) that they can join the RAS from
now until the end of 2006 for only a pound! What a bargain!
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RECENT RAS STATEMENTS
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=1&Itemid=2
If you haven't already noted them, the following recent RAS press releases
(and linked documents) may be of particular interest:
**October Space & Astronomy digest
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=834
**Future of Planetary Sciences in the UK
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=827
**2009 - Year of Astronomy
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=822
**RAS Statement on Proposed Abolition on the Leap Second
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=830
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SCIENCE MEDIA CENTRE - 'Introduction to the News Media' Event
http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/
After the success of its first Introduction to the News Media Event
for scientists last year, the SMC invites Fellows to a second event,
on 28th November 2005, 14:00-18:00, in the Royal Institution,
Albemarle Street (just round the corner from the RAS).
Many of the tensions between science and the media emerge because of a
lack of mutual understanding and respect between scientists and
journalists for the professional constraints and pressures on both
groups. While the SMC often talks to journalists and editors about the
way science works, our Introduction to the News Media event is
designed to immerse scientists in the way the media works.
This is a whistle stop tour of the news media involving national media
journalists talking about their deadlines, their editors and how they
get stories; Vivienne Parry with her top tips on speaking to the
media; press officers coming in to talk about how you can work with
them to help you talk to the media and testimonies from scientists
who've got stuck in and realised it was worth the effort - all with
lots of opportunities to ask questions.
Places are limited and must be booked, so contact the SMC as soon as
possible if you're interested.
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START OF SESSION REMINDERS:
FREE JOURNAL ACCESS
All RAS Fellows enjoy free access to the on-line editions of Astronomy
& Geophysics, Monthly Notices, and GJI. If you need to register,
please contact Blackwells - details at:
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=89
CHARTERED SCIENTIST STATUS
The importance of developing the skills of scientists and of ensuring
that they remain up-to-date is paramount in both the academic and
industrial sectors. The designation Chartered Scientist (CSci),
awarded by the Science Council, ensures high and improving standards
across all scientific disciplines. The Chartered Scientist designation
reflects 'best practice' in science, and is set at a benchmark level
throughout the professions. Application for validation of CSci status
can be made through the RAS - see
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=217&Itemid=52
RAS DISCOUNTS
RAS Fellows are eligible for substantial discounts on many items of
interest, including books from a number of publishers:
http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=242&Itemid=97
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CONGRATULATIONS to Professor the Lord Rees of Ludlow (Martin Rees)
on being raised to the peerage as Baron Rees of Ludlow, of Ludlow in
the County of Shropshire.
http://www.lordsappointments.gov.uk/news/2005/july2005.asp
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