On 5 January 2021 the IAU Executive Committee approved a new list of IAU Commissions, following a review of the current ones, which were created in 2015. The results of this review are that all existing Commissions will continue to operate and three new Commissions will be created: Commission E4 Impact of Magnetic Activity on Solar and Stellar Environments; Commission F4 Asteroids, Comets and Transneptunian Objects; and Commission J3 Galaxies at the Epoch of Reionisation.

Another result of the review is that Commission H3 Planetary Nebulae, will become an Inter-Division Commission, falling under both Division G, Stars and Stellar Systems, and Division H, Interstellar Matter and Local Universe. A full list of the Commissions approved and the Divisions they belong to is available online.

Activities in the various subdisciplines of astronomy are coordinated through the IAU Divisions, within which the focused Commissions are organised. Reviews such as this recent one allow updates to these scientific bodies, to reflect changes in the field of astronomy.

Although the new Commissions will not become active until August 2021, the lists of members need to be prepared in time for the elections taking place in April. If you are an IAU Member and wish to join any of the new Commissions, please complete and submit the pre-registration form by 29 January 2021.

IAU Working Rules state that any Individual or Junior Member may belong to a maximum of 3 Commissions. Membership of a fourth Commission is only allowed if the fourth Commission falls under Division B or C. IAU Members may join or leave Commissions at any time by notifying the relevant Commission Secretary and the IAU Secretariat.

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The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together almost 12 000 active 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.

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

Madeleine Smith-Spanier
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Email: smith@iap.fr 

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
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Email: lars@eso.org