History of radio astronomy at the IAU General Assembly
Given Australia's pioneering efforts in international radio astronomy, it was only natural that Commissions 40 (Radio Astronomy) and 41 (History of Astronomy) should combine and offer a day and a half of historic radio astronomy sessions at the recent Sydney IAU General Assembly (GA).
A motley mix of about 140 radio astronomers (past and present), astronomical historians, and others gathered on Monday, 21 July for an all-day science meeting on "The Early Development of Australian Radio Astronomy". This featured 15 oral papers and a poster paper, for the most part about the work at the various Division of Radiophysics field stations and at Parkes, although there was an excellent review paper about the Molonglo Cross. Apart from an introductory overview by Woody Sullivan, all of the papers were prepared by retired radio astronomers who were actively involved in Australian radio astronomy at one time or another during the period 1945 - 1988. In addition, a video about Grote Reber was screened during lunchtime. This science meeting was organized by Miller Goss, Dave Jauncey, Ken Kellermann, Wayne Orchiston (Co-Chair), and Woody Sullivan (Co-Chair).
For those wanting yet more, Tuesday, 22 July included a half-day science meeting on "Pioneering Observations in Radio Astronomy" organized by Wayne Orchiston and Bruce Slee, which also attracted an audience of about 140. The eight oral papers and three poster papers spanned early radio astronomy developments in Australia, France, Japan, Russia and Sweden. Presentations about the "founding father" of radio astronomy, Grote Reber, and the first two female radio astronomers, Elizabeth Alexander (NZ) and Ruby Payne-Scott (Australia) were particularly well received.
One other development worth mentioning that occurred during the GA was the formation of a new C40-C41 Working Group on "Historic Radio Astronomy". This will aim to identify, document and where feasible preserve surviving historically-significant radio telescopes and ancillary instrumentation world-wide. The WG committee comprises: R. Davies (U.K.), J.-F. Denisse (France), K. Kellermann (USA), M. Morimoto (Japan), W. Orchiston (Australia - Chair), S. Slysh (Russia), G. Swarup (India), and H. van Woerden (Netherlands).
Wayne Orchiston (ATNF)
(Wayne.Orchiston@csiro.au)