Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:58:53 -0500 (EST)
To: aaswlist
stsci.edu
Subject: AASWOMEN for Friday, October 25, 2002
AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Weekly issue of Oct. 25, 2002, eds. Meg Urry, Patricia Knezek,
& Michael Rupen
This week's issues:
1. The cost of Introductory Astronomy text books
2. Obituary for Dianne Prinz
3. Postgrduate Scholarships at the Research School of Astronomy and
Astrophysics, The Australian National University
4. Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics, Vanderbilt University
5. Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
6. Instructor in Physics , Vanderbilt University
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1. The cost of Introductory Astronomy text books
From: Margaret Hanson hansonphysics.uc.edu
To all Astro101 Instructors,
Have you ever taken note of the cost of the text books you require for your
course? If not, I think you should. I was absolutely floored this week when
I found out the textbook I had planned to use for a one-quarter course, a
softbound textbook, would run $111. I've emailed one of the authors and I've
emailed the publisher that I refuse to use it. It's not just the price that's
got me so upset, but this endless re-issuing of new editions for minor
changes every 12 - 18 months renders our student's used books worthless.
In my email to the publisher, I told them it's a bit surprising that in an
era when educational websites, government agencies, observatories and the
like are making astronomy lessons and astronomy images abundantly available,
that textbook companies would be so confident as to overprice their books as
they are.
These companies depend on us being unaware of the cost to our students. I
urge you to be aware.
This spring, I will simply use my web-based lecture notes and the countless
websites I have found to teach my course.
--
Margaret M. Hanson, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physics
University of Cincinnati http://www.physics.uc.edu/~hanson/
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2. Obituary for Dianne Prinz
From: Judy Karpen judy.karpennrl.navy.mil
To view the entire article, go to
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49907-2002Oct18.html
Dianne K. Prinz; Space Scientist For Naval Research Laboratory
By Graeme Zielinski
Dianne Kasnic Prinz, 64, a space scientist for the Naval Research
Laboratory, where she worked from 1967 until retiring because of illness
in 2000, died of lymphoma Oct. 12 at the Hospice of Northern Virginia in
Arlington. She had lived in Alexandria since 1967.
In the 1970s, Dr. Prinz was the first woman selected to be trained as
apayload specialist by NASA and she was scheduled to be sent into space
before her flight was canceled after the 1986 Challenger explosion.
She led research in the 1970s that resulted in obtaining pictures of
the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. And since the 1980s, she supervised
work that measured the sun's ultraviolet output, establishing an
important baseline currently in use by astrophysicists to determine
changes in the sun.
She worked in a field dominated by men. In the early 1970s, when she
was an official involved in a satellite launch at the White Sands
Proving Grounds in New Mexico, Dr. Prinz had to improvise, because there
were no women's restrooms.
In a 1978 interview with The Washington Post, she recalled in
amazement that a NASA official asked her if she had any makeup requests
for her upcoming space mission.
That mission, to oversee an experimental payload called SUSIM (Solar
Ultraviolet Spectral Irradiance Monitor), was canceled, though the
device, highly anticipated by space scientists, was later launched in
1991.
In the Post interview, Dr. Prinz said she was attracted to science as
achild growing up the daughter of a coal miner on a farm outside
Pittsburgh. "There were lots of chemicals around, so I got interested in
chemistry," she said.
She won scholarships to the University of Pittsburgh, where she
received a bachelor's degree in physics. She later received a doctorate
in physics from Johns Hopkins University.
Her awards included a Navy Award of Merit for Group Achievement, the
NASA Public Service Group Achievement Award and the Navy Meritorious
Civilian Service Award.
She was a member of the Washington Academy of Sciences and Sigma Xi
and had been vice president of the Washington chapter of the Optical
Society of America.
Dr. Prinz volunteered for the Navy Community Outreach Program and gave
lectures about space research in her NASA flight suit at schools in the
Washington area.
Her marriage to Gary Prinz ended in divorce.
Survivors include her father, Joseph Kasnic of Conway, Pa.; a sister;
and a brother.
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3. Postgraduate Scholarships at the Research School of Astronomy and
Astrophysics, The Australian National University
From: Theresa Gallagher theresa.gallagheranu.edu.au
RESEARCH SCHOOL OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS MOUNT STROMLO OBSERVATORY THE
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Funding is available now for postgraduate study in 2003 in Astronomy and
Astrophysics at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) at
The Australian National University. You will be part of a world-class team
in observational, theoretical and instrumental astronomy and astrophysics.
You will have access to the most powerful telescopes in Australia and
overseas and you will be supervised by astronomers at the top of their field
worldwide.
Funding is available for postgraduate study in 2003, including prestigious
stipend scholarships valued at $AUD23,609 tax free per annum, to be awarded
to outstanding Australian or international scholars.
Located on Mt Stromlo, the RSAA runs five telescopes at two observatory
sites and is building Australia's first instrument for the giant Gemini 8m
telescopes. The RSAA has Australia's largest grouping of astronomers, the
most comprehensive set of undergraduate and graduate astronomical courses,
and has trained many of the world's leading astronomers residing in the
United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
To learn more go to: http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/education/ or email:
school.secretary.rsaa.anu.edu.au
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4. Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics, Vanderbilt University
From WIPHYS posting of 10/25/02
The Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications and nominations
for a tenure/tenure track faculty position in theoretical astrophysics.
Applicants will be considered at all professorial levels. There are no
restrictions on the subfield of theoretical astrophysics, but candidates
whose work complements observational areas already being pursued will be of
particular interest. Active astrophysics research areas within the department
include galactic, planetary, and protoplanetary nebulae, supernova cosmology,
star and planetary system formation, and binary and variable stars. Our
astrophysics thrust is supported by groups in particle physics, cosmic rays
and particle astrophysics and by strong computational facilities. The
successful candidate is expected to have an outstanding, internationally
recognized and highly visible research record and will be expected to
establish a strong and vigorous research program in theoretical astrophysics
at Vanderbilt. In addition, the candidate must have an established record of
excellence in undergraduate teaching and the ability to teach effectively and
contribute to the expanding curricular offerings in graduate level
astrophysics. Potential applicants are invited to request more information
from the Search Committee and to visit our web site at
http://www.physics.vanderbilt.edu/. This position is available beginning as
early as September 1, 2002. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae and
available teaching evaluations and arrange for four confidential letters of
reference to be sent to:
Professor David A. Weintraub
Chair, Astrophysics Search Committee
VU Station B Box 351807, Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN, 37235-1807
E-mail: david.a.weintraubvanderbilt.edu
FAX: (615) 343-7263.
A review of applications will begin on July 1, 2002 and will continue until
the position is filled. Vanderbilt University is an Equal Opportunity,
Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minority candidates are particularly
encouraged to apply.
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5. Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
From WIPHYS posting of 10/25/02
Nominations and applications are sought for an outstanding leader with
proven administrative and communication skills to assume the position of
Professor and Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt
University. A Ph.D. in physics or a closely related area, a significant and
distinctive record of research accomplishments and a history of quality
teaching are required. The department presently has twenty nine professorial
lines, federal funding of $6.4 million/year, and approximately 55 graduate
students. Active funded research areas include theoretical and experimental
programs in atomic/molecular/optical physics, materials and condensed matter
physics, biological physics, astronomy and astrophysics, nuclear physics,
and particle physics. The department also is active in several
interdisciplinary programs, including the W. M. Keck Foundation Free Electron
Laser Center, the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering,
the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education.
An on-campus high performance computer farm facility is shared among the
Department, the Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and the Biochemistry
Departments. Nominations or applications can be sent to:
Prof. Charles Maguire, Chair,
Search Committee
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Station B Box 351807
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 37027-1807
Phone: 615-322-2828
E-mail: charles.f.maguirevanderbilt.edu.
A review of the candidates will begin on January 30, 2000 and will continue
until the position is filled. Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity,
affirmative action employer. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to
apply.
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6. Instructor in Physics , Vanderbilt University
From WIPHYS posting of 10/25/02
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University invites
applications for an Instructor position in physics. The Instructor will be
primarily involved in teaching undergraduate physics laboratories. The
position is open beginning in the Spring 2003 semester. The position is
non-tenure-track. The initial appointment will be for twelve months and is
renewable for subsequent years. At least a bachelors degree in physics is
required. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and be
familiar with Windows based computers. Applications should be sent to:
Prof. A. S. Umar
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Station B Box 351807 (for express mail, replace with 6301
Stevenson Center)
Nashville, TN 37235.
Applicants should arrange for three reference letters to be sent to the above
address. Applications will be reviewed starting December 1, 2002, and will
continue until the position is filled. Vanderbilt University is an Equal
Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minority candidates are
particularly encouraged to apply.
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