The third issue of the IAU Catalyst is now available to read online.

In this volume of the Catalyst we see that, despite the major challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, astronomers have demonstrated great innovation to keep astronomical activities running. Kevin B. Marvel, Executive Officer at the American Astronomical Society (AAS) reports on how the AAS meeting has been adapted to go ahead in June, while staff at the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) write about the launch of a special Flagship Project seeking to use astronomy to mitigate some of the effects of COVID-19.

You can also read about the activities of the Working Group on Education and Training in Astrobiology from Group Chair Muriel Gargaud, and about the significant developments of astronomy in Ethiopia from Solomon Belay Tessema, Director General of the Ethiopia Space Science and Technology Institute. IAU General Secretary Teresa Lago also reports on the first Shaw-IAU Workshop on “Astronomy for Education”, which was held in December as part of a new collaboration with the Shaw Prize Foundation.

The Catalyst is issued twice a year, as an electronic-only bulletin. We hope you enjoy reading it and encourage you to get involved in future issues by submitting news and contributions about events or topics that you consider relevant to IAU members.

Previous issues of the IAU Catalyst are also available on the IAU website.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 13 500 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

• IAU Catalyst June 2020

Contacts

Maria Teresa Lago
General Secretary
Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 43 25 83 58
Email: IAU_GS_2018@iap.fr 

Madeleine Smith-Spanier
IAU Database Manager
Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 43 25 83 58
Email: smith@iap.fr

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org