Presentation to
Subaru Users Committee

• 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 MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
45
40
35
30
25
Beginnings,
“have not” universities
Hubble Space Telescope
AURA becomes
Policy voice
Gemini era
AURA takes on
Increased
International
Linkages
20
15
10
5
0
1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• Collaboration among MK
Observatories is inherently productive.
• 5 nights per semester time exchange
• WFMOS is an ideal (but challenging) collaborative project.

• We would like to consider a Japanese member institution for AURA
• For further information go to

AURA Board
______________
Elected by
Member Representatives
AURA President
Ex Officio Member
Of Board and
Councils
Observatory Council
(Oversees NOAO)
Solar Observatory
Council
(Oversees NSO)
Space Telescope
Institute Council
(Oversees STScI)
AURA Oversight
Committee for Gemini
(Oversees Gemini)
ACCORD
AURA Coordinating
Council of Observatory
Research Directors
NOAO
Visiting Committee
NSO
Visiting Committee
Institute Visiting
Committee

• 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

The 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 Applicants i. A staff of five or more faculty or equivalent; and ii. 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 fiveyear 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; and ii. Programs to promote astronomy, for example, through public or private education.

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.

• 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

•
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

NOAO
AURA Board
NSO
AURA President
STScI
Gemini
(Also reports to
Gemini 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

• Maintains financial authority
– Approve budget
– Approve proposals
– Approve contracts
• Elects members of Management Councils
• Appoints President, Center Directors, and other top managers.
• Establishes policy

• 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

• 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 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.

• 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

• Identifies and recommends new member institutions for corporate membership
• Advise on issues of current membership

• 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

Organization AURA UCAR AUI URA USRA
Business
Diversity
Member
Institutions
Governing
Board
Staff
Revenues
Four major business units
Two major business units
39 (some international)
69
(25 overlapping, some international)
20 Trustees
One major business unit
0
(9 Founding
Institutions, 6 overlapping)
22 Trustees
Two major business units
90
(30 overlapping)
17 Trustees
20 business units (varying sizes)
97
(26 overlapping, some international)
14 Trustees 16 Board
Members
~1000 ~1400 ~450 ~2000 420
~$160 M $190 M ~$100 M $316 M ?