EAS News
2022: a promising new year for the European Astronomical Society
A word from the President

I hope 2022 has started well for you all. Certainly the successful deployment of JWST to L2 has given a boost to us all and once again put astronomy in the forefront of the news. Congratulations to all those involved! The flawless precision of the Christmas-Day launch by Ariane resulted in much less propellent being used in the manoeuvres to reach L2 and the strong likelihood of a mission lifetime greatly exceeding that planned. European scientists and engineers have played a major role in the project, especially in the scientific instruments. They all deserve our congratulations and we look forward in the hope that the accomplishments of an excellent first month lead smoothly on to the start of scientific operation. Read more


EAS News
EAS 2022 in Valencia, 27 June - 1 July 2022
Registration and application for fee waivers and grants open

After two EAS Annual Meetings in virtual format where we all have learned to appreciate the online meeting possibilities, we are holding the 2022 EAS Annual Meeting in person in Valencia (Spain) from 27 June to 1 July 2022. We look forward to enjoying, once again, the opportunity to meet people in person, interact with colleagues face-to-face and facilitate networking. The organisers have composed an impressive programme with 15 Symposia, 38 Special Sessions, 9 Lunch Sessions, and much more. The programme overview is available on the EAS 2022 website. Read more


EAS News
Council elections: vote for one Councillor position
Voting deadline 10 March 2022

As already announced by mail to all EAS members, elections are ongoing for Council positions starting at the next General Assembly 2022. Following the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, Roger Davies (President), Sara Lucatello (Vice-President), Nick Kylafis (Treasurer), and Andi Burkert (Councillor) are automatically re-elected in their current positions. Maarten Baes steps down as Councillor at the GA 2022, and one Councillor needs to be elected to replace his position. Read more


EAS News
Are we alone in the Universe? Understanding exoplanets
EAS-ESA-ESO event at the European Parliament: 11-15 July 2022

In March 2019, the EAS and ESA organised an exhibition and talks at the European Parliament in Brussels under the title "The Gaia Space Mission: A Triumph of European Science and Technology". A second edition of this European Parliament event, now organised by EAS, ESA and ESO, has been planned for 11-15 July 2022. This year's theme is "Are we alone in the Universe? Understanding exoplanets". Discovery and characterisation of exoplanets is an advanced technological challenge, in which ESA and ESO are playing a leading role. The event fits in the EAS's drive to enhance the profile of astronomy at the heart of European decision-making. Read more


EAS News
The European Astronomical Society joins the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative
EAS aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the EAS Annual Meeting

In January 2022, the EAS joined organisations around the world in the endeavour to achieve a climate neutral world, and support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by signing the UN Climate Neutral Now pledge. The Climate Neutral Now initiative encourages and supports organisations, and other interested stakeholders, to act now in order to achieve a climate neutral world by 2050 as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. EAS on its own has quite a small impact due to its very small staff and facilities, however we organise the largest astronomical conference in Europe - the EAS Annual Meeting. Read more


EAS News
New IAU Centre for satellite constellation interference
EAS contributor to the centre co-hosted by NOIRLab and SKA Observatory

A new IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference has been set up. The centre coordinates collaborative multidisciplinary international efforts with institutions and individuals and works across multiple geographic areas to help mitigate the negative impact of satellite constellations on ground-based optical and radio astronomy observations as well as humanity’s enjoyment of the night sky. The centre is co-hosted by NSF’s NOIRLab and the SKA Observatory. The EAS is one of the institutional contributors to the new centre, and several of the EAS Affiliated Societies support the effort. Read more


Contributed News
OPTICON-RadioNet Pilot pogramme call 2022B
Deadline for application: 28 February 2022

The 2022B call for EU funded access to OPTICAL telescopes which form part of the OPTICON-RadioNet Pilot programme will open on or about Tuesday 1 February 2022 and close at 23:59 on Monday 28 February 2022. Applications are made via a modified version of the Northstar tool and are reviewed by a dedicated time allocation panel. Successful proposers will be offered travel support to take up the observing time (assuming international travel conditions are returning to normal). For more information, visit this URL.


About the EAS and the e-Newsletter

The European Astronomical Society (EAS) is a society of professional astronomers founded in 1990 and aiming at promoting and advancing astronomy in Europe. Its contact point is the EAS Office, located at the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Started in 2016, the e-Newsletter is a prime communication tool between the society and its members, and it is issued three to four times per year.

If you would like to contribute, please contact Maarten Baes (Ghent University, Belgium), the EAS e-Newsletter editor.

Composition of the EAS Council

President:
Roger Davies, UK
Vice-President:
Sara Lucatello, Italy
Lex Kaper, The Netherlands
Secretary:
Inma Domínguez, Spain
Treasurer:
Nick Kylafis, Greece
Councillors:
Georges Meylan, Switzerland
Andreas Burkert, Germany
Antoaneta Antonova, Bulgaria
Agata Różańska, Poland
Maarten Baes, Belgium