TheAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of universities and other institutions that operatesastronomicalobservatories andtelescopes.
Founded October 10, 1957, with the encouragement of theNational Science Foundation (NSF), AURA was incorporated by a group of seven U.S. universities:California,Chicago,Harvard,Indiana,Michigan,Ohio State, andWisconsin. The first meeting of the board of directors took place inAnn Arbor, Michigan. Today, AURA has 47 member institutions in the United States and 3 international affiliate members.
AURA began as a small organization dedicated to ground-based optical astronomy, managing a range of 1- to 4-meter telescopes and providing community advocacy for optical/infrared astronomy. Over the years, AURA expanded its focus to include Solar Astronomy and the Gemini 8-meter telescopes, going on to partner with other consortia such as WIYN (Wisconsin Indiana Yale & NOAO) and SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research). In the 1980s, AURA took on the management of the Space Telescope Science Institute, opening up the ultraviolet, optical, and infrared wavelength bands in space with the Hubble Space Telescope and in infrared space astronomy with theJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
AURA is responsible for the successful management and operation of its three centers: NSF'sNational Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab); the NSF'sNational Solar Observatory (NSO); and theSpace Telescope Science Institute (STScI).
Construction project: TheVera C. Rubin Observatory - a public-private partnership to operate an 8.4-meter telescope on Chile'sCerro Pachon.
Dr.Matt Mountain was appointed president of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) on 1 March 2015.[1] The president, as the chief executive officer, serves as the primary representative or spokesperson for AURA. The president is a member of the board of directors and implements policy decisions of the board. The president serves the board of directors as its principal executive officer, providing leadership and guidance on policy matters, coordinating the activities of the board and its various committees. The president is also responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with AURA Member Universities.
The board, which meets quarterly, establishes the policies of AURA, approves its budget, elects members of the Management Councils, and appoints the president, the center directors, and other principal officers. The board of directors is responsible to the member representatives for the effective management of AURA and the achievement of its purposes.
Today, there are 47 U.S. Member Institutions and 3 International Affiliate Members which comprise the Member Institutions of AURA. The president of each member institution designates a member representative who has a voice in AURA matters. Together, the member representatives act upon membership applications.[2]
List of members as of 2022:[3]
Theasteroid19912 Aurapenenta was named in honour of the association's fiftieth anniversary, on 1 June 2007.†
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