First World Young Earth Scientists Congress

25–28 October 2009

Miaki Ishii, a 2009 Macelwane Medalist, will represent AGU at the First World Young Earth Scientists Congress at the University of Geosciences, Beijing. The theme of the 25–28 October meeting is Earth sciences for society. Congress participants include scientists, policy makers, and advisors. They will discuss workforce issues, planet-wide scientific challenges, global education and research, and industry-academic linkages. Dr. Ishii's travel fellowship has been generously funded by IBM Corporation.

AGU Past President Marcia McNutt confirmed as director of USGS

21 October 2009

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Marcia McNutt as director of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Senate confirmed McNutt on 21 October by unanimous vote. McNutt served as AGU president from 2000–2002 and is the 2007 recipient of the Maurice Ewing Medal. With McNutt's confirmation, AGU past presidents now head USGS, NSF's Geosciences Directorate (Tim Killeen), and the National Academy of Sciences (Ralph Cicerone).

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Record-Setting Star: Astronomers Make Out of This World Discovery: Star in Constellation Has Five Orbiting Planets

1 October 2009

Astronomers discovered that 41 light-years from Earth, a star, called 55-Cancri, in the constellation of Cancer has five planets orbiting it- an aspect previously unique to our solar system. The fifth planet orbiting the star is located at a distance key to supporting life because the temperature is not too hot or cold for liquid water. By analyzing the movement of the star, astronomers found an anomaly in the mathematical models used to describe the motion. An unexplained wobble made them look further and discover the orbiting planets.

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Exclusive! First Look at the Bottom of the Sea: Mechanical and Ocean Engineers Develop Deep Sea Vehicle for Unexplored Ocean

1 October 2009

Mechanical and ocean engineers designed a vehicle to travel 6.8 miles below sea level in the western Pacific Ocean. The vehicle uses sonar, sensors, computers and LED lighting to explore more of the deep ocean than ever before. The design uses hundreds of light-weight ceramic spheres that provide the buoyancy needed to protect the electronic equipment from the high pressures. A micro-thin fiber optic cable tethers the vehicle to the vessel and sends real-time images up to 25 miles. Alternately, it can operate autonomously, without a tether.

Tomorrow's AGU: Building a foundation for good governance

May 2009

In May, the AGU Council voted unanimously to create a 16-member board of directors to oversee the business of the Union, and to expand the Council beyond section leadership to include focus group and committee leaders concentrating on matters of science and related Union activities such as AGU publications, meetings, and awards and honors. This fall, the AGU membership will be asked to vote on these important changes.

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