2019 annual report

Celebrating Teaching and Learning Inspire A MessagefromBoard President President, ASPBoard ofDirectors Kelsey Johnson Sincerely, work oftheASPpossible. Thank you to themany members, donors, andvolunteers that makethe this together, onatiny, palebluedot. to peoplearound theglobeandfrom allwalks oflife. We are literally allin I amproud anorganization to at serve theforefront ofbringing that power human existence incontext andgive usaglimpseoftheincomprehensible. The ASPhaslongcelebrated andadvanced thepower ofastronomy to put the cosmos. gives ofpure peekat thetruemagnificence usthegift awe—a of gifts, suchasmedicineortechnology. But, at itsbest, science sometimes whichwe live.universe—in Sciencesometimesprovides entirely practical To my mind, thepoint ofscience isto understandtheworld—and the value, sowhy takeit? there was controversy: The resulting imagewould have noreal scientific sun could damage At animagesocloseto the thetime, that taking scientists at NASAknew existence barren beenframed backdrop. againstsuchanoverwhelmingly inhumanhistory.one ofthemostremarkable Never before hadour Voyager 1 daily basis. Yet Ifindthis grainy, almost by the featureless image—taken As anastronomer, Iamimmersedinstunningimagesofthecosmos ona of ourhomeplanet, the “pale bluedot.” years ago,Thirty we received from agift theouter solarsystem: theimage Kelsey Johnson space probe before powering down itscameras in1990—to be Voyager ’s videosystem. thecost-benefitrisk analysis, In

Excite CEO, Astronomical ofthePacific Society Linda S.Shore, EdD Sincerely, in astronomy. Thank you andyour somuchfor share your inourpride. support The ASPhasliterally helpedmany thousandsengagemany tens ofthousands on newNASA-sponsored astronomy badges. theirfirstsolareclipse,Scouts andGirl working observing schoolgirls inIndia andastronomy school, families attending festivals, starparties elementary pub patrons attending an “astronomy on tap” event, first-graders inanurban Tibetan Buddhistmonksandnuns, andscout leaders. Their “students” included included graduate schoolteachers, students, amateur elementary astronomers, astronomy teaching in2019. andlearning The “educators” we worked with we present thisannualreport, In someofthemany ways we supported equal access to engaging inastronomy, orteachers. whetheraslearners all agesandbackgrounds. The ASP’s visionisaworld where has everyone astronomy enthusiasts eagerto thewonder bring ofthecosmos to peopleof For 131years, theASPhasbeenproviding tools, resources, andtraining to for any chance we cangetto share ourjoy. familiar?IamhardlySound alone. Those ofuspassionate aboutastronomy look wonder theirfirstlook Saturn throughat intheeyes a ofachildtaking telescope. latest NASAdiscoveries, memore andnothingthrills thanseeingtheawe and At familygatherings, I’m theenthusiastic “go-to” personfor questionsaboutthe Taurus, andGemini. locations ofthemagnificent andiconic constellations visibleinfall, likeOrion, clear November night, andI’ll spendat leastanhourshowing you theshapesand outsideat night orfamily. withfriends whenwalking night sky Give meacold, you’reIf likeme, you rarely missthechance to point outtheconstellations inthe Linda Shore A MessagefromCEO

5 Project PLANET Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Project PLANET is working with 1st- and 3rd-grade teachers on investigating the astronomical phenomena of shadows and lunar phases. Storybooks, classroom activities, and live planetarium experiences are all designed to excite young children who are naturally curious Teach about the sun, moon, planets, and stars.

ASP Teacher Learning Center The ASP’s annual four-day Summer Astronomy Institute focuses on teachers of grades 5–12 who come together in a professional setting to find inspiration and new ideas for conveying the wonders of the universe to their students. This year, presentations featured guest speakers, guidance in putting new teaching standards into place in the classroom, and workshops such as the popular “From Pinholes to Space Telescopes,” which drew educators eager to learn how telescopes work.

6 “Big Astronomy” Toolkits The ASP eagerly awaits the premiere of the Big Astronomy project’s new planetarium show, being released worldwide, and in multiple languages, in 2020. In preparation for the show— featuring the people who work in the world’s biggest observatories in Chile—the ASP has designed and tested a suite of informal activities created for educators in museums and astronomy clubs. The new toolkits are filled with materials and information on everything from light pollution to traditional sky knowledge. Experience

Free Choice Learning Director Vivian White paints prototype glow-in-the-dark galaxy formations for the ASP’s “Big Astronomy” toolkits.

8 9 Night Sky Network Over the past 15 years, more than 400 Night Sky Network clubs have inspired millions of visitors. NSN astronomy clubs are integral to a web of local informal science opportunities, and Learn relationships are key. In 2019, connections forged with public libraries for the Universe of Stories summer reading program strengthened community partnerships across the country.

Space Science for Girl Scouts New Girl Scout Space Science badges—which debuted in 2018 for K–5 graders and in 2019 for 6–12th graders—have created the perfect opportunity for attracting more girls and women to astronomy clubs. This year, the Girl Scout Stars project drew more than 200 amateur astronomers to workshops designed to make outreach more welcoming to everyone.

11 Astronomy Ambassadors In 2019, the ASP continued its role delivering the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS’s) Astronomy Ambassadors Program. In partnership with AAS, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Portal to the Public project at the Institute for Learning Innovation, and Oregon State University, the ASP has been at the forefront of helping early-career scientists connect with the public. This year, the program welcomed its seventh cohort of Ambassadors as part of ASP’s new NSF-funded On-the-Spot

Connect Assessment feedback project. This four-year initiative is focused on creating and testing novel strategies scientists can use to spark curiosity and engage public audiences in the wonder of astronomy.

“I received hundreds of messages from women in Muslim countries, saying that my work gave hope to Muslim girls to pursue a science-related career.” —Astronomy Ambassador Program graduate Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil

12 ASP2019: Earth to Space The ASP’s Annual Meeting for 2019, held at San Francisco State University on October 18th, celebrated the ASP’s 130th anniversary. Focusing on the theme “Earth to Space: Astronomy for All,” presentations included plenary sessions, day- and night-sky observations, outdoor solar viewing, and more. Talks focused on everything from new research on planets outside our solar system to visions of a future when people can travel across the universe, and the incredible sights our descendants might someday see. Collaborate

14 15 Conference Series Mercury Online This year, we’re pleased to announce a new This online companion to our popular quarterly addition to our distinguished Conference member magazine brings space and astronomy news Series: a dedicated volume showcasing the to the public throughout the year. In 2019, blogs creative scholarly work of undergraduate covered everything from the mysteries of dark matter students. Research is one of the most effective to the controversy surrounding building a new ways to improve student success, particularly telescope in Hawaii. The 2019 publication covered re- among first-generation college students and search conducted by professional and citizen scientists underrepresented minorities. We are proud to for the Continental-America Telescope Eclipse (CATE) Ex- provide students with a professional publication periment, which captured precise measurements of the in which to highlight their high-quality, solar corona during the eclipse of August 21, 2017. The faculty-mentored research papers. CATE observers—which included students from Grant Union High School in Oregon—provided new insights Publications of the ASP (PASP) into the ways coronal mass ejection plasma accelerates In 2019, the Society’s technical journal covered in the solar corona. research conducted by professional and citizen scientists for the Continental-America Telescope Eclipse Experiment (CATE), which captured precise measurements of the solar corona during the eclipse of August 21, 2017. The CATE observers—which included students from Grant Union High School in Oregon—provided new insights into the ways coronal mass ejection

Communicate plasma accelerates in the solar corona.

16 17 18 Share had an awe-inspiring day.had anawe-inspiring some astronomy, viewed theeclipsesafely, and people, monastics, andschoolchildren learned solareclipse. American North Thousands oflocal designed byusing activities theASPfor the2017 led training workshops for themonksandnuns Tibetan there. community To prepare, ASPstaff leading anastronomy festival for theexiled in as science leadersto applytheirexpertise for monksandnunstrained lifetime opportunity science.learning The eclipseoffered aonce-in-a- Tibetan Buddhistmonasteries at theforefront of andwascrossed visibleat several India southern On December 26,2019,anannularsolareclipse Science for andNuns Monks years Lama’s agoinresponse to theDalai desire forBuddhist The forMonksand Nunsproject Science launchedalmost20 monastics andWesternmonastics scientists to share knowledge. The ASP has been a partner organization since 2014. apartner ASP hasbeen

Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal 2019 ASP Awards DR. MARTHA P. HAYNES, Each year, the ASP recognizes achievements Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University, in astronomy research, technology, education, in recognition of her leadership in radio studies of galaxies and public outreach. We’re excited to share the accomplishments of this year’s winners.

Maria and Eric Muhlmann Award DR. MARK J. REID, Senior Radio Astronomer at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, for his pioneering work in radio astronomy

Robert J. Trumpler Award DR. KATHERYN DECKER FRENCH for her thesis on radio surveys of gas clouds within galaxies that have ended the star-forming phase of their evolution

Achieve Arthur B.C. Walker II Award DR. WILLIAM M. JACKSON, JR., distinguished research and emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, for outstanding achievement in astronomy and education by an African-American scientist

Klumpke-Roberts Award PROFESSOR JAY PASACHOFF of Williams College for his contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy

Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award LYNN POWERS, President of the Southwest Montana Astronomical Society, for her dedication in sharing her knowledge and passion for astronomy

Richard H. Emmons Award PROFESSOR NICK SCHNEIDER for his innovative methods teaching Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder

20 21 Thank You Our sincere thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their generous support during the 2019 calendar year. Funds raised support our Honoring the “Mother of the Hubble” ongoing mission to foster curiosity, advance scientific literacy, share the joy of Nancy Grace Roman, an icon in the history of astronomy explorationHeadline and discovery, and encourage the development of tomorrow’s research and space exploration, vocal advocate for encouraging science, technology, and academic leaders. Thank you for believing in the ASP. girls to participate in STEM, and generous supporter of the ASP, On December 26, 2019, an annular solar passed away on December 26, 2018, at the age of 93. eclipse crossed southern India and was visible Society Benefactor ASP Contributors Tim Lynch Ernest Heether Nancy Grace Roman was the first woman to hold an executive ($25,000at several and above) Tibetan($250–$499) Buddhist monasteriesAlan Marscher at the Lynne Hillenbrand position at NASA in 1961. While she went on to plan many successful The Estate of Nancy Grace Roman Joycelin Craig** Wesley N. Mathews, Jr. David Illig NASA programs and experiments—including SpaceLab, Gemini, The Myers Family Sandra Faber J & L Miller Family Fund Alan Jaroslovsky forefront of learningCatharine Garmanyscience. The eclipseBetty & Peter Pircher offered in memory of Richard Joyce Apollo, and Skylab—Dr. Roman will be long remembered as the President’s Circle Members Werner Graf Isaac Kikawada Donald Knapp “Mother of the Hubble.” ($5,000–$24,999)a once-in-a-lifetimeVictor & Katharinaopportunity Grossi forRichard monks Rairden and Catherine Langridge Anonymous Mary Kay Hemenway Roland Roberts Patricia Lawton & Joel Offenberg Kylenuns Blackman trained as scienceAlan Jaroslovsky leaders to applyJeffrey Rosendhal theirin memory of and Amy Mainzer+ In 1979, NASA asked Dr. Roman to pitch the idea of launching a Kenneth & Linda Dulaney Ivan King in honor of Nancy Grace Roman Ryan McMurray space telescope in orbit around the Earth to skeptical government Catherine Langridge+ Chuck McPartlin Eric Rydgren Chuck McPartlin expertise in leadingLeslie Proudfit an “astronomyRichard festival” Sakal for Richard Messina agencies. Her passionate advocacy led to the successful 1990 launch Edward S. Holden Society Members Dennis Schatz Andrew & Danielle Schlei David Monyak of the Hubble Space Telescope, an instrument that produced images ($2,000–$4,999)the exiled TibetanMelita community Thorpe there.Nick Schneider To prepare, in memory of John Nejedlo Jessica Broitman Foundation, Inc., Robert E. Wilson Catherine McCord Shirley Perkins that captivated the public and fundamentally transformed our Jessica Broitman & Gibor Basri+ Michael & Leslie Schroeder in honor J. Posey, Jr. understanding of the universe. MichaelASP Bennett staff led severalFriends of thetraining ASP workshops of Michael Bennett for the Richard Rairden George W. Cogan & Fannie Allen ($100–$249) Janet Simpson John & Monique Reed in memory of Charitablemonks Fund and nuns Anonymous**using activities designedRobert J. Stewart by the Drs. Eli S. & Nola A. Haynes, Dr. Frank In 2019, the ASP received a very generous bequest from the Nancy Mary Kate Stimmler & Sunil Nagaraj Constance Armitage Arthur Thomas N. Edmunds, Jr., and Mr. R.C. Maag Grace Roman Estate that will support our education programs for NeilASP deGrasse Tysonfor the 2017 RalphNorth Barbee American solarW. Thomas Stalkereclipse. III Ron Rosano Ron Rosano Thomas Barnes III Douglass Stewart, Jr. Andrew & Danielle Schlei decades to come. Dr. Roman was already one of our most generous Support Al Whaley Frank Bash Edward Stone Paul Sheng donors, having helped kickstart our initiatives focused on engaging Thousands of localKristin people,Bass monastics,Joseph & Eileenand Tenn school Terry Stephenson young girls in astronomy. We mourn Nancy Grace Roman’s passing, ASP Associates Walter & Sally Bonsack Frederick Walter Edward Stone ($1,000–$1,999)children learned Katherinesome Bracher astronomy, Christalviewed Waters in memory the of John Teerlink and are honored to carry forward her commitment to STEM teaching, Jeffrey Bennett+ Bruce Carney Dennis C. Smith Melita Thorpe learning, and inclusion. Edward Conklin John & Eleanor Cary Don & Grace Wheeler Austin & Shana Verive Edna+eclipse & Chuck DeVore safely, in honor of andRichard had & Marie an Cavello awe-inspiring day. Constance & Christopher Walker Michael Bennett Susan Chambers Supporters Circle Members Rene Walterbos Jo Ann Eder Steven & Juel Craig Eric Becklin Don & Grace Wheeler Christopher Ford+ Patrick Crane Jeffrey Bennett+ Kay Wilson Renee Rashid+ Larry Cooper Michael Bennett Linda Shore** Richard Fienberg Clair Bryja Matching Gifts Constance+ & Christopher Walker Debra Fischer Stephen Burroughs Google LLC Aloha Windsor in memory of Virginia Fontana William Cochran IBM Ron Paul Darbinian Andrew Fraknoi in honor of Lynn Cominsky Pablo Nelson Edward Conklin Program Support ASP Sponsors Thomas Frey Stephen Croft American Astronomical Society ($500–$999) James Fry Andrea Dobson Arizona State University Eric Becklin Sandra Gant Reginald Dufour California Space Grant Reginald Dufour John Gaustad Kenneth & Linda Dulaney Harold L. Wyman Foundation Timothy & Carolyn Ferris Jody Grassel Mary Dussault Jet Propulsion Laboratory Daniel Fong William & Rita Habeeb Alice Enevoldsen NASA Heidi Gerster Kikawada in memory Richard Henshaw in honor of Alexei & Noelle Filippenko National Science Foundation of Isaac Kikawada Barbara Fogerson and in memory Christopher Ford+ Science Museum of Minnesota Gregory Giving Fund of Isaac Kikawada Catharine Garmany SETI Institute Russell Harding James Hesser John Glaspey Arnold Heiser David Illig Alan Gould Corporate Partners and In-Kind Francis Keeler, Jr. Steven Klean John Graham Support Michael Koop E.C. Krupp in memory of Thomas Greene Zazmic Inc. David Monyak Dr. George O. Abell Victor & Katharina Grossi David Opstad Morgan Kulla William & Rita Habeeb + ASP Board Member and /or Mark J. & Katherine T. Reid Carol Levy with Adirondack Public Edward Harris Officer Observatory Isabel Hawkins ** ASP Staff Member Jeff Lockwood 22 23 BOARD OFFICERS Ron Rosano, Astronomy Educator, Virgin Galactic Spaceflight Participant President Jeffrey D. Rosendhal, NASA (retired); Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University Kelsey Johnson*+, University of Virginia/National Radio Astronomy Observatory Wayne Rosing, Las Cumbres Observatory Vice President/Co-Treasurer Dennis Schatz, Pacific Science Center Sunil Nagaraj*+, Ubiquity Ventures Constance Walker, National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory Co-Treasurer Al Whaley, Internet Travel Network (retired) HeadlineDerrick Pitts*+, The Franklin Institute CREDITS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Co-Treasurer OnCathy December Langridge, Stitch Fix26, 2019, an annular solar Chief Executive Officer eclipseSecretary crossed southern India and was visible Linda Shore Edna DeVore*+, SETI Institute (retired) Project Manager atPast several President Tibetan Buddhist monasteries at the Joycelin Craig forefrontChris Ford*+, HOVER, of learning Inc. science. The eclipse offered Editor Ruth Tepper Brown BOARD MEMBERS aGibor once-in-a-lifetime Basri+*, University of California, opportunity Berkeley for monks and Graphic Designer nunsJeffrey trainedBennett*+, Big as Kid scienceScience leaders to apply their Mando Daniel André Bormanis*+ IMAGES expertiseChristine M. Darden*+, in leading NASA (retired) an “astronomy festival” for Front Cover: Wil Matthews; Page 3: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Page 4: San Francisco State University Steven Dupree*+, Brandeis University Observatory/Wil Matthews; Page 7: Brian Kruse; Page 9: Pablo Nelson; Page 10: Joycelin Craig; theChristine exiled Jones+, Tibetan Harvard-Smithsonian community Center for Astrophysics there. To prepare, Page 13: Courtesy Photo; Page 14: Linda Shore; Page 19: Wil Matthews; Page 21: Bordon Chin; ASPCatherine staff Langridge*+, led several Recology training workshops for the Page 23: NASA; Page 25: David Barker; Back Cover (Transit of Mercury, November 2019): NASA Amy Mainzer*+, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona monksRenee Rashid*+, and Facebook nuns using activities designed by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Alma Rico*+, Voices College-Bound Language Academies astrosociety.org ASPM. Katy for Rodriguez the Wimberly*+,2017 North University American of California, Irvine solar eclipse. San Francisco Headquarters ThousandsAlexander Rudolph*+, of Californialocal Statepeople, Polytechnic monastics, University and school 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112 Junior Board Fellow 415.337.1100 childrenJames Negus*+, learned University of some Colorado, astronomy,Boulder viewed the Utah Conference Series Office eclipse* served in 2019 safely, and had an awe-inspiring day. Utah Valley University, MS 179, 800 West University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058 + serves in 2020

ADVISORY COUNCIL Michael Bennett (Chair), Astronomical Society of the Pacific (retired)

Leadership Bruce Carney, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Edna DeVore, SETI Institute (retired) Lynn D. Dierking, Oregon State University and Institute for Learning Innovation Timothy Ferris, University of California, Berkeley Richard Fienberg, American Astronomical Society Alex Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley Andrew Fraknoi, Foothill College (retired) In Memoriam Catharine D. Garmany, National Optical Astronomy Observatory (retired) In memory of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (1918–2020), whose Marc Gineris , Incyte Capital Holdings, Dallas, Texas calculations helped send the first American astronauts safely into space. Russ Harding , Educator (retired) Mary Kay Hemenway , University of Texas at Austin In 2016, Johnson was the inaugural recipient of the ASP’s Arthur B.C. Walker II William E. Howard, III , National Science Foundation (retired) Award, presented to an African American (or member of the African Diaspora) Cathy Langridge, Recology for outstanding achievement in astronomy research and leadership in efforts Gordon Myers, IBM (retired) to diversify the scientific community. Jim Hesser, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and Strategic Advisor, Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Programs, National Research Council of Canada Schyleen Qualls, Arkeon Entertainment & Arkeon Education 24 27 Advancing Science Literacy through Astronomy facebook.com/astrosociety twitter.com/astrosocietypac instagram/astrosocietypac