Message from the President

Dear CASCA Members,

As many of you are aware, one of our members, Dr. Charlene Anne Heisler, passed away in late-October. I have expressed CASCA's condolences to her husband and family. On a personal note, Charlene was one of my closest collaborators since she held an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship at York University nearly a decade ago before moving to Australia. Charlene was not only a very good scientist, but she was deeply committed to science education and communication. In her honour, the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University is establishing a prize for an upper-year student "who combines excellence in astronomy with a demonstrated commitment to the communication of science."

Sun Kwok, in an accompanying article, provides some personal reflections about Charlene. Her family has established a scholarship in her honour at the University of Calgary which she attended as an undergraduate. Those who wish to contribute to this fund should make donations payable to:

with the memorandum line of the cheque stating the donation is for the Dr. Charlene Heisler-Campbell Memorial Fund. Those who wish to extend their sympathies to her husband, Doug Campbell, can do so via 18 Mount Stromlo Road, Weston, ACT, 2611 AUSTRALIA.

Like me, you will undoubtedly have been impressed upon receiving your copy of the English version of the Long Range Plan that was mailed to all members in November. It certainly makes a strong impact on the reader, amateur and professional alike. (There are, after all, only two types of people: professional astronomers and amateur astronomers.)

As you are aware, the LRP was arrived at through extensive consultation within our community and is problem- or goal-oriented, rather than wavelength-oriented, with a particular emphasis on Origins. In order to fully realize this holistic Plan, it is essential that all three funding agencies, NRC, NSERC and CSA, make a firm commitment to its support. Its funding will allow Canadian astronomers to efficiently and effectively tackle the fundamental questions of our science. On behalf of CASCA, I wrote a letter to the President of NRC articulating these issues more clearly.

How do we now maximize the Plan's chances for success? We must "sell it" to anyone and everyone, especially to those who may have an impact on the government's decision. Before describing our advertising strategy, it is important to be aware of the likely funding time-table. Most of the uncommitted funding for the LRP is being requested through NRC. (CSA funding has been committed, subject to the usual fiscal exigencies.) The current budget obviously does not have any provision for LRP funding. This will have to come from a future budget, with bridging money used in the interim.

Already, on behalf of CASCA, I have written strong letters of endorsement of the LRP to the Presidents of NRC, NSERC and CSA. The letter to Dr. Carty of NRC can be viewed here. (A motion of support from the HIA Advisory Board can be viewed here, while the Chair of GSC 17 discusses the LRP among other issues here.) The letters to the other Presidents were slightly longer and emphasized the importance of contributions from the relevant agency. In parallel, we have organized a lobbying campaign to inform all university presidents and administrations about the Plan. Representatives from each of the major astronomical institutions in Canada have visited, or will visit in the near future, their Dean and President, presenting them with copies of the LRP and explaining its importance to our community and the benefits to the university.

When the French version is completed early in the New Year, there will be an official media launching. At that time, all members may be called upon to support this national initiative at the local and grassroots levels. If we fail to capture the public's attention, our prospects for success diminish. We will also target MPs (perhaps even selected provincial authorities) and especially Ministers and their staffs in the spring as they prepare to discuss next year's budget. Having secured university and agency support, this should go smoothly.

CASCA Board is also engaged in other lobbying efforts that will be revealed in due course. But I stress that "selling" the LRP is every member's responsibility.

Though the LRP process is far from complete, it is appropriate that I conclude this section by acknowledging the debt of gratitude our community owes the Panel. For over a year, Panel members invested a considerable amount of time and effort in order to develop a comprehensive Plan that is for our benefit. On the behalf of our Society I want to express my sincere appreciation to Andrea Dupree, Gilles Joncas, Simon Morris, Ernie Seaquist and Jack Welch. But even a distinguished group as this requires leadership to be effective. Ralph Pudritz provided just such leadership. His vision and collegial approach assured an open and thorough process. Thank you Ralph. In fact this process has been so fruitful that we have called for it to become a mandatory component of future reviews of astronomy in Canada along with the participation of all relevant agencies.

We must also extend our appreciation to Don Morton and Kate Wilson (NSERC) for their advice throughout. Moreover, we are grateful to Ros Hanes, CASCA's office secretary, for handling the mailing of the (heavy) reports so efficiently.

CASCA Board and the National Research Council (Public and International Relations, and Conference Services) have submitted the bid to the International Astronomical Union to host the 2006 Congress and General Assembly in Calgary, Alberta. Though Canada apparently has competition for the 2006 GA, we are confident that our high quality proposal will be successful. A decision will be made by the IAU Executive prior to the Manchester General Assembly, August 7-18 in 2000.

CASCA was responsible for contributing a brief statement entitled, Strength of Astronomy in Canada.

Successful applicants for IAU membership via the Canadian National Committee will be notified early in the New Year.

CASCA Board is engaged in continuing discussions with the RASC on a joint lecture series. Things should be largely fleshed out by early spring. Contingent on locating extra funding, CASCA would like to become involved in the development of an astronomical website that could be used as a resource by the Canadian media and general population. Finally, CASCA will have an official launching of a new website early in 2000. Graduate student Glen Petitpas of McMaster University is admirably handling the production of the new site.

Happy Holidays, all!

Michael De Robertis      <mmdr@yorku.ca> President of CASCA Michael, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at York University, is the current President of CASCA.

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Cassiopeia -- 1999-DS