The Astronomical Society of NY
A. G. D. Philip
American Astronomical
Society 196th Meeting, June 2000
The
New York Astronomical Corporation was formed in 1968 by astronomers at
New York State universities, colleges and observatories with the aim of
building a large telescope for the use of astronomers in the state. Hawaii
was selected as a possible site for a 150-in telescope and for a period
of five years a vigorous effort was made at fund raising. A grant was
received from the New York State Science and Technology Foundation to
help in the organization of the group. By 1973 it was decided to stop
plans for a New York Telescope since we had no success in the fund raising.
However our group was already involved in holding meetings at the member
institutions and staff and students would give reports on their work.
In 1973 we formally set up the Astronomical Society of New York. Meetings
are held twice a year. The Fall meeting is held at Union College or RPI
and at this time the business meeting of NYAC is held. The Spring meeting
is held at the other member institutions, from Alfred University in the
west and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, in the east.
The proceedings of the meetings are published in the News Letter of the
Astronomical Society of New York. Prizes are awarded for the best graduate
and the best undergraduate papers submitted to the Prize Committee. The
winners give invited talks at a meeting following the award. Travel grants
are awarded to both graduate and undergraduate students who are granted
time to observe on optical or radio telescopes. ASNY has provided a good
platform for students to give their first papers and by awarding the prizes
and travel grants ASNY has been able to support student research. The
meetings help to maintain good contacts among New York astronomers.
Also see the following articles by A. G. Davis Philip
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