CFHT UM 2013 – Calling all PIs – Early registration and abstract submission deadline is Jan 9

The CFHT will hold its triennial Users’ Meeting in Campbell River, Vancouver Island, Canada, on 6 – 8 May 2013.  The first announcement as well as other pertinent meeting information is included in the meeting’s website:

http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/en/news/UM2013/

As a recent user of or proponent to CFHT, I would like to encourage you to attend this meeting to publicise the science results arising from your observations. As always, the CFHT UM provides an opportunity to reflect upon the scientific achievements of the CFHT community as well as to participate in shaping the future of CFHT.

I would like to draw your attention to the following important deadlines and I look forward to you joining us in May.

Regards, Jon Willis.

On behalf of the CFHT UM SOC.

Important deadlines:

Early Registration &  Abstract submission:  9 January

Registration / Hotel accommodations:  6 March

Public Release of SCUBA-2 Commissioning Data (January 15, 2013)

During the astronomical commissioning of SCUBA-2 in 2011, several sources were observed mostly for observing mode testing, array performance improvements and telescope integration. The absolute quality of the data cannot be vouched for, and the weather conditions and the array stability may be variable. Nevertheless, the data are of sufficient quality that they may be of scientific interest to some. As such these data are being publicly released. The catalogue of publicly released SCUBA-2 commissioning data is available via the JCMT Science Archive at the CADC.

Ring Around Andromeda Challenges Galactic Ideas (January 3, 2013)

A surprising discovery about dwarf galaxies orbiting the much larger Andromeda galaxy suggests that conventional ideas regarding the formation of galaxies like our own Milky Way are missing something fundamental.

In a paper published today in the prestigious journal Nature, an international team of astronomers including two University of Victoria professors describes the discovery that almost half of the 30 dwarf galaxies orbiting Andromeda do so in an enormous plane more than a million light years in diameter, but only 30,000 light years thick.

The findings defied scientists’ expectation—based on two decades of computer modeling—that satellite galaxies would orbit in independent, seemingly random patterns. Instead, many of these dwarf galaxies seem to share a common orbit, an observation that currently has no explanation.

“It’s a very unusual, unexpected configuration,” says UVic astrophysicist Dr. Julio Navarro, a co-author of the paper. “It’s so unexpected that we don’t know yet what it’s telling us. The fact that it is there at all is pointing us toward something profound.”

The paper is based on data collected as part of a project led by UVic adjunct assistant professor Dr. Alan McConnachie, of the National Research Council of Canada’s Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (NRC-HIA) in Saanich. McConnachie, another co-author of the Nature paper, is principal investigator of the Pan Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS), which used the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope between 2008 and 2011. Examination of the data collected provided the first panoramic view of the Andromeda galaxy, the Milky Way’s nearest galactic companion, and the surprising discovery.

Understanding how and why the dwarf galaxies form the ring around Andromeda is expected to offer new information on the formation of all galaxies.

 
Media Contacts:
Dr. Alan McConnachie (National Research Council of Canada) at 250-363-0070 (alan.mcconnachie@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca)
Dr. Julio Navarro (Faculty of Science) at 250-721-6644 or jfn@uvic.ca
Mitch Wright (UVic Communications) at 250-721-6139 or mwwright@uvic.ca

NSERC requesting feedback from the community regarding Discovery Grant funds

Recently, NSERC sponsored a study by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) to re-assess the allocation of Discovery Grant funds among Evaluation Groups (EGs). As NSERC points out, « In the absence of the infusion of new funds, this is necessarily a zero-sum activity, with some EGs experiencing a reduced budget allocation and other groups receiving a budget increase. »

NSERC is now requesting feedback from the community on the CCA guidelines that will be used to re-distribute Discovery Grant funds among different disciplines. Feedback can be provided by either completing the online survey available at:

https://ensemble.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/surveys/SC00002/default.aspx (when asked, enter code 7243623)

or by emailing NSERC directly at connect@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

The deadline for submitting the feedback is January 11, 2013.

Additionally, CASCA will provide NSERC with a summary of collective feedback. For us to do so, please email any thoughts or suggestions you might have directly to CASCA-President@casca.ca  with a deadline of December 30, 2012.

Additional information can be gathered from the following documents/webpages:

Document containing background information on budget allocation for Discovery Grants: https://ensemble.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/surveys/SC00002/L001/Backgrounder6-e.pdf

Link to the NSERC Consultation page (including a link to the survey):  http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/Reports-Rapports/Assessment-Assessment_eng.asp

Link to the CCA report:  http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en/assessments/completed/science-performance.aspx

Best regards,
Laura Ferrarese, on behalf of the CASCA Board

Lecturer in Astronomy and Astrophysics – University of Toronto (Deadline Jan. 15, 2013)

Lecturer in Astronomy and Astrophysics – University of Toronto

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics (DAA) and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto invite applications for a teaching-stream position at the rank of Lecturer, beginning July 1, 2013.

The position is a joint appointment between the DAA (51%) and the rapidly growing Dunlap Institute (49%). The successful candidate will engage in teaching, pedagogical research, and related administrative work in DAA and have primary responsibility for the development and delivery of a broad range of astronomy-based education and outreach activities in the Dunlap Institute. Applicants must have demonstrated excellence in both teaching Astronomy and outreach programs. The successful candidate must have a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics or a related field and at least two years of post-doctoral research experience. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Appointments at the rank of Lecturer may be renewed annually to a maximum of five years. In the fifth year of service, Lecturers shall be reviewed and a recommendation made with respect to promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer.

DAA and the Dunlap Institute have strong ties with and physical proximity to the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), which is hosted by the University of Toronto. The University of Toronto (www.utoronto.ca) offers the opportunity to teach, engage in outreach, and live in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply by clicking on the link below. Applications should include a cover letter, a full curriculum vitae, a statement of career goal, teaching dossier that outlines the candidate’s teaching experience, teaching philosophy, and curriculum development experience, and a similar dossier on outreach activities. Please direct any additional enquiries about this position to chair@astro.utoronto.ca.

All application materials should be submitted online. The UofT application system can accommodate up to five attachments (10 MB) per candidate profile; please combine attachments in a single PDF file. Submission guidelines can be found at: http://uoft.me/how-to-apply.

Applicants should also ask at least three referees to send letters directly to the department via e-mail to astrochair@astro.utoronto.ca by the closing date, January 15, 2013.

For more information about the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, please visit http://www.astro.utoronto.ca or http://dunlap.utoronto.ca.

To Apply Online please click: https://utoronto.taleo.net/careersection/10050/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1201458

Alice Chow
Assistant to the Director and Office Administrator
Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics
University of Toronto
50 St. George Street, Room 101
Toronto, ON M5S 3H4
Phone: 416.978.3356 Fax: 416.946.7287
Email: di.admin@di.utoronto.ca
http://dunlap.utoronto.ca

Tenure-stream position in Planetary Physics (Deadline Jan 31, 2013)

Tenure-stream position in Planetary Physics

The Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences (DPES) at the
University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) invites applications for a tenure-
stream appointment in the field of Planetary Physics. The position will be
at the rank of Assistant Professor and will commence July 1, 2013.

As part of an expansion in the field of the origin and evolution of solar
and extrasolar planets, the Physics and Astrophysics Group within the
Department is seeking specialists in the broad field of planetary materials.
Areas of interest encompass the physics of: materials at high-temperature
and/or pressure, where relevant to the interiors of solar and extrasolar
planetary bodies; and low-temperature solids (including ices, minerals and
macromolecules) in dispersed planetary media, from primordial solar nebulae
to planetary rings. Specific areas of interest include: the behaviour of
rocky, metallic and icy materials at the extreme conditions found inside
planetary bodies, the properties of gases and plasmas in the context of
planetary interiors, dust creation and destruction, the response to or
influence of planetary materials on physical fields or energy transfer, and
the characterization of the physical and optical properties of matter in
individual objects.

Applicants working in analytical and modeling focused research areas are
particularly encouraged. High performance computing will be supported
through access to distributed and shared memory computer clusters accessed
via SciNet (see www.scinet.utoronto.ca), and initiatives to construct a
GPU-based computer cluster at UTSC.

Applicants should have a completed PhD. Demonstrated excellence in research
and teaching are essential. He/she will be expected actively to seek
external research funding and set up a departmental research program at
UTSC. The successful applicant will teach courses in physics and/or
astrophysics at the undergraduate level, and physics, geophysics or
astrophysics at graduate level. He/she will hold a graduate appointment in
one or both of the University of Toronto’s tri-campus graduate Department of
Physics and Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and will be expected to
teach in its graduate programs and supervise graduate students. Salary will
be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
All qualified candidates are invited to apply by clicking on the link below.
Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching
dossier, (including a statement of teaching philosophy), a statement
outlining current and future research interests, and three recent
publications. Please direct inquiries about these positions to Dr. J. Lowman
at lowman@utsc.utoronto.ca. All application materials should be submitted
online.

The UofT application system can accommodate up to five attachments (10 MB)
per candidate profile; please combine attachments into one or two files in
PDF/MS Word format. Submission guidelines can be found at:
http://uoft.me/how-to-apply.

Applicants should also ask three referees to send letters directly to Dr. J.
Lowman via e-mail to lowman@utsc.utoronto.ca by the closing date, January
31, 2013.

For more information about the University of Toronto Scarborough and its
undergraduate programs in Physics and Astrophysics please visit
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~physsci/physAstro/.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its
community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group
members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of
sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further
diversification of ideas. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply;
however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

3D Simulations of Supernova Remnants (November 5, 2012)

An international team of astrophysicists, including Drs. Samar Safi-Harb and Gilles Ferrand at the University of Manitoba (Canada) and Dr. Anne Decourchelle from the CEA Saclay (France), has produced the first 3D simulations of supernova remnants (SNRs) showing the effect of particle acceleration at the wave fronts generated by these powerful X-ray sources in our galaxy. The research has been just published in the Astrophysical Journal.

Safi-Harb notes: “With these simulations, we are generating the first realistic synthetic maps of projected thermal x-ray emission in young SNRs.” Decourchelle adds: “This opens a new way to understand the physics at play by confronting high resolution 3D simulations to detailed X-ray observations of SNRs.”

They note that the results will impact on astrophysicists’ interpretations of high-resolution x-ray observations, such as those currently underway using the orbiting Chandra and XMM-Newton x-ray observatories (launched in 1999 by NASA and ESA, respectively), or those planned with Astro-H (slated for launch by JAXA in 2014).

One hundred years ago, Austrian physicist Victor Hess detected cosmic rays using a high-altitude balloon. Their origin has been a puzzle since then, but astronomers have suggested that most of these particles are accelerated by fast-moving shock waves triggered by supernova explosions. Recent x-ray and gamma-ray studies have supported this theory, but astrophysicists are not sure if protons (which make the bulk of the cosmic rays population) are also accelerated and to what energy levels. Since magnetic fields affect the flight of cosmic rays, they arrive on earth from all directions, making it difficult to determine their origin.

It is, however, possible to observe their likely sources in the galaxy: the SNRs, and look for signatures of their presence. The new simulations show how the efficient acceleration of particles at the shock affects both the shape and the level of x-ray emission from SNRs.

Ferrand, lead author of the paper, says: “These 3D simulations, the first of their kind, will help us to unveil the presence of very energetic protons in young SNRs.”

This research was made possible by using a computer cluster devoted to these unique simulations and funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, as well as a supercomputer at CEA/CCRT in France. It was also supported by funds from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Canada Research Chair program, the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and the French National Research Agency (ANR).

For more information, please contact Samar Safi-Harb, Canada Research Chair in Supernova Astrophysics, University of Manitoba, at: 204-474-7104, or email: samar.safi-harb@ad.umanitoba.ca

In France, contact: Anne Decourchelle, 33 2 69 08 43 84, or email: anne.decourchelle@cea.fr

Université de Montréal : Professeur (e) en astronomie extragalactique / Professor in extragalactic astronomy (Deadline Nov. 30 2012)

[English version follows]

———————————————————————–

PROFESSEURE OU PROFESSEUR EN ASTRONOMIE EXTRAGALACTIQUE
DÉPARTEMENT DE PHYSIQUE
UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL

Le Département de physique sollicite des candidatures pour occuper un
poste à temps plein de professeure ou de professeur de physique, au rang
d’adjoint, avec une spécialisation en astronomie extragalactique.

Fonctions
———

Le candidat retenu sera appelé à enseigner aux trois cycles, à encadrer
des étudiants aux études supérieures, à poursuivre des activités de
recherche, de publication et de rayonnement ainsi qu’à contribuer aux
activités de l’institution.

Exigences
———

– Doctorat en physique, avec spécialisation en astronomie extragalactique
comportant une solide expertise au niveau observationnel.
– Aptitudes marquées pour l’enseignement.
– Publications témoignant d’une contribution exceptionnelle à la
recherche en astrophysique.
– Le candidat retenu devra poursuivre un vigoureux programme de
recherche en astrophysique et contribuer aux activités du Groupe
d’astronomie et d’astrophysique de l’Université de Montréal
(www.astro.umontreal.ca/groupe).
– Maîtrise de la langue française.*

Traitement
———-

L’Université de Montréal offre un salaire concurrentiel jumelé à une
gamme complète d’avantages sociaux.

Entrée en fonction
——————

À compter du 1er juin 2013.

Clôture du concours
——————-

Le dossier de candidature, constitué d’une lettre de motivation, d’un
curriculum vitæ, d’un exemplaire de publications ou de travaux de
recherche récents et d’un résumé des activités de recherche présentes et
envisagées, doit parvenir à au directeur du département, M. Yves Lépine,
à l’adresse électronique suivante (yves.lepine@umontreal.ca) au plus
tard le 30 novembre 2012.

Les candidats doivent également demander à trois personnes de faire
parvenir une lettre de recommandation au directeur du département à
l’adresse donnée ci-dessus.

Les personnes intéressées trouveront des renseignements sur le Département
de physique en consultant le site Web à l’adresse suivante :
www.phys.umontreal.ca.

————————————————————————-

* Politique linguistique de l’Université de Montréal :

L’Université de Montréal est une université québécoise de langue française,
à rayonnement international. Dans le cadre du renouvellement de son corps
professoral, elle intensifie le recrutement des meilleurs spécialistes
dans le monde et s’assure par ailleurs que, conformément à la Politique
linguistique de l’Université de Montréal
[http://secretariatgeneral.umontreal.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/secretariat/doc_officiels/reglements/administration/adm10-34_politique-linguistique.pdf],
les professeurs qu’elle recrute qui ne maîtrisent pas le français à leur
entrée en fonction bénéficient d’un programme de soutien à l’apprentissage
de la langue française.

Privilège de confidentialité des candidatures :

Les procédures de nomination en vigueur à l’Université de Montréal prévoient
que tous les dossiers de candidature puissent être consultés par tous les
professeurs membres de l’assemblée départementale. Toute personne désirant
que sa candidature demeure confidentielle jusqu’à l’établissement de la
liste restreinte (candidatures retenues pour entrevue) est priée de le
mentionner dans sa lettre de motivation.

Programme d’accès à l’égalité en emploi :

L’Université de Montréal souscrit au principe d’accès à l’égalité en emploi
et invite les femmes, les membres des minorités visibles, les membres des
minorités ethniques, les personnes handicapées et les autochtones à poser
leur candidature. Nous invitons tous les candidats à remplir le
Questionnaire d’identification – accès à l’égalité en emploi, disponible à
l’adresse suivante :
http://www.drh.umontreal.ca/documents/bpe/bpe_paee/formulaire_PAEE_bpe.pdf
et à le joindre à leur dossier de candidature.

Exigences en matière d’immigration :

Conformément aux exigences prescrites en matière d’immigration au Canada,
cette annonce s’adresse en priorité aux citoyens canadiens et aux résidents
permanents.

=========================================================================

PROFESSOR IN EXTRAGALACTIC ASTRONOMY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL

The Department of Physics invites applications for a full-time tenure-track
position as Assistant Professor in Physics with a specialization in
extragalactic astronomy.

Responsibilities
—————-

Successful candidates will be expected to teach at all three levels of the
curriculum, supervise graduate students, engage in ongoing research and
publication, and contribute to the academic life and reputation of the
institution.

Requirements
————

– PhD in Physics, with a specialization in extragalactic astronomy with a
strong observational background.
– Commitment to excellence in teaching.
– A record of outstanding research achievements in Astrophysics.
– The candidate will be expected to join the Université de Montréal
Astronomy and Astrophysics Group and contribute to its activities
(www.astro.umontreal.ca/groupe).
– Proficiency in the French language. The Université de Montréal is a
Québec university with an international reputation. French is the
language of instruction. To revitalize its teaching faculty, the
University is intensively recruiting the world’s best specialists.
In accordance with the institution’s language policy
[http://secretariatgeneral.umontreal.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/secretariat/doc_officiels/reglements/administration/adm10-34_politique-linguistique.pdf],
the Université de Montréal provides support for newly-recruited faculty
to attain proficiency in French.

Salary
——

The Université de Montréal offers a competitive salary and a complete
range of employee benefits.

Starting Date
————-

Starting from June 1, 2013

Deadline
——–

The complete application, including a curriculum vitae, copies of recent
publications and research, a list of publications, and a summary of
current and planned research activities, must be received at the
following electronic address (yves.lepine@umontreal.ca) by
November 30, 2012.

Three letters of recommendation are to be sent directly to the
department director at the above address.

For more information about the Department of Physics, please consult
the Web site at: www.phys.umontreal.ca.

————————————————————————-

Confidentiality :

The Université de Montréal application process allows all regular
professors in the Department to have access to all documents unless
the applicant explicitly states in her or his cover letter that
access to the application should be limited to the selection committee.
This restriction on accessibility will be lifted if the applicant is
invited for an interview.

Employment Equity Program :

The Université de Montréal upholds the principles of employment equity
and welcomes applications from women, ethnic and visible minorities,
aboriginals and people with disabilities. All applicants are asked to
complete the employment equity identification questionnaire posted at
http://www.drh.umontreal.ca/documents/bpe/bpe_paee/formulaire_PAEE_bpe.pdf
and attach it to their application.

Immigration Requirements :

In compliance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority shall be
given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Cassiopeia Newsletter – Autumnal Equinox 2012 (September 21, 2012)

In this issue:

An ALMA Update

Arctic Update
News from the Canadian Gemini Office / Nouvelles du Bureau Gemini Canadien

Milestones at NRC’s HIA (2012 June-Sept.) / Du neuf à l’IHA du CNRC (juin-sept. 2012)

Education and Public Outreach Notes

News from JCMT

Discover the universe / À la découverte de l’Univers

ACURA News