The State of the Universe

Chairman Lamar Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson

of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

cordially invite you to attend: 

The State of the Universe: 

A lunch briefing on new discoveries

and the importance of diversity in the astronomical sciences

12:00 – 1:00 PM on February 5, 2015

2325 Rayburn House Office Building 

RSVP by February 3rd @ aas.org/rsvp-SOTUniverse-2015 

For the second consecutive year, the AAS in partnership with the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, bring you The State of the Universe, a briefing on the astronomical sciences. Our speakers will highlight exciting new discoveries and provide first-hand perspectives on the power of astronomy as a gateway science and the importance of bringing a broad and diverse set of viewpoints to bear on exciting scientific challenges. Through inspirational imagery and elegant descriptions of our universe, the astronomical sciences draw millions of students to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, preparing them for a wide range of careers in many sectors of the economy that support our nation's prosperity.

Speakers Include: 

C. Megan Urry

AAS President, Professor at Yale University

Jessica Kirkpatrick 

Director of Data Science, InstaEDU

Makenzie Lystrup

Acting Director of Business Development for Civil Space and Technology, Ball Aerospace

Dara Norman

Research Astronomer, National Optical Astronomy Observatory,

Visiting Faculty Fellow, Howard University

Please encourage your senators and members of congress to attend this event. The hope is to increase awareness of the importance of astronomy research and the diversity of applications of astronomy training. You can find your representative's contact information here. Here is a flyer to send to your representatives.