2025 IREx MSc and PhD positions in Exoplanets Science

Each year, IREx professors hire new students to do a master’s degree (M.Sc.) or a doctorate (Ph.D.) in the field of exoplanets at the Université de Montréal or one of the other home universities of the regular IREx members (McGill University and Bishop’s University).

The Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx) consists of a growing team of 60+ researchers (professors, postdocs, research assistants and students) working on various research programs focused on the study of exoplanets and related fields of stellar astrophysics. Members of IREx lead many large international projects related to the detection and characterisation of exoplanets, such as the Canadian component of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and precision radial velocity instruments SPIRou and NIRPS.

IREx also has a vibrant science education and public outreach program led by astrophysicists who are seasoned science communicators. All of our members have many opportunities to communicate science in various ways to a wide audience.

If you are interested in joining us for the Fall, Winter or Summer term, please check our website for more information https://exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/en/emplois-formation/cycles-superieurs/ or contact Marie-Eve Naud, Marie-eve.naud@umontreal.ca

CASCA Midterm Review Community Paper Solicitation

UPDATE

We remind you that the deadline is approaching for the limited call for community papers* for the CASCA Midterm Review (MTR2025) of the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan for 2020-2030 (LRP2020).

Community papers must be submitted as PDF files, capped at a length of three 8.5”x11” pages (approximately two pages of text and one page for figures, tables, references), with a minimum of 11-point font and 2-cm margins. Submissions must be in PDF format, and should not exceed a file size of 10 MB. Community paper submissions may be made in English or in French. Submissions not meeting these requirements will not be considered.

All submitted community papers will be posted as public documents on the MTR2025 web page (https://casca.ca/?page_id=20680). Teams wishing to submit supplementary confidential material will be able to indicate as such through the community paper submission process.

The NEW deadline for community paper submissions is December 6, 2024 (midnight local time). Please submit your white paper via this form: https://forms.gle/8gJC5BfDS28RuWLh6.

Daryl Haggard and Laura Parker

MTR2025 Co-Chairs, on behalf of the MTR2025 Panel

* We update our language from “white paper” to “community paper”, acknowledging its historical significance (Weaver, 1981; see also LRP W007).


We are pleased to announce a limited call for white papers for the CASCA Midterm Review (MTR2025) of the Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan for 2020-2030 (LRP2020).

The MTR2025 will offer an assessment of the status of the LRP2020 recommendations, an analysis of new opportunities, and recommendations to address emerging issues. The series of priorities that result are anticipated to be relevant on a 5-year timeline and are not to include major revisions or expansions of LRP2020 that are inconsistent with the original goals of the plan. The resulting review will serve as a single unified vision to reaffirm the LRP2020 process over the second half of the 2020-2030 decade.

SCOPE OF WHITE PAPERS: As a result of the MTR2025’s mandate, this call for white papers is limited in scope to new opportunities and/or major changes in the Canadian astronomical landscape. This may include new instruments and facilities, as well as major new scientific endeavors. Updates to existing recommendations made in the LRP2020 should be referred to the relevant committees, for inclusion in their committee reports to the MTR2025, (i.e., updates should not be submitted via this white paper solicitation). Please submit committee updates no later than November 20, 2024, to ensure inclusion in their report. If you would like to provide an update but are not sure which committee it should be referred to, please contact a member of the MTR2025 team (https://casca.ca/?page_id=20680).

SUBMISSION AND DUE DATES: The deadline for white paper submissions is December 4, 2024 (midnight local time). Please submit your white paper via this form: https://forms.gle/8gJC5BfDS28RuWLh6.

AUTHORSHIP: Each white paper must have a designated contact person. Anonymous submissions will not be considered. Confidential supplementary material (e.g., budgets, proprietary technical information) can be submitted separately to the MTR2025 panel; the relevance of this material should be described in the public submission. There are no restrictions on the affiliations of co-authors, and no limit on the number of co-authors. Note that the number of co-authors will not necessarily be taken as an indication of the level of community interest.

FORMAT AND LENGTH: White paper submissions may be made in English or in French.

White papers must be submitted as PDF files, capped at a length of three 8.5”x11” pages (approximately two pages of text and one page for figures, tables, references), with a minimum of 11-point font and 2-cm margins. Submissions must be in PDF format, and should not exceed a file size of 10 MB. Submissions not meeting these requirements will not be considered.

PUBLICATION: All submitted white papers will be posted as public documents on the MTR2025 web page (https://casca.ca/?page_id=20680). Teams wishing to submit supplementary confidential material will be able to indicate as such through the white paper submission process.

DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS: We encourage open discussion on the coordination of white papers and plan to organize several CASCA Town Halls to facilitate community engagement in the MTR2025 process. Questions about any aspect of the MTR2025 process can also be sent by email to the co-chairs Daryl Haggard daryl.haggard@mcgill.caand Laura Parker lparker@mcmaster.ca

Daryl Haggard and Laura Parker
MTR2025 Co-Chairs, on behalf of the MTR2025 Panel

Prof. M. K. Vainu Bappu Gold Medal for the year 2024

The Astronomical Society of India invites nominations for Prof. M. K. Vainu Bappu Gold Medal for the year 2024.

Instituted in the memory of late M. K. Vainu Bappu, founder President of the Society and a past President of the International Astronomical Union, this medal is awarded once every two years to honour exceptional contributions to Astronomy & Astrophysics by young scientists anywhere in the world.

Young astronomers with exceptional achievements and promise are eligible for the award. The scientific achievements may be in any branch of astronomy, astrophysics and related fields. There are no restrictions on nationality. The nominee must be of 35 years of age or below, as on 31 Dec 2024. There is an age relaxation of 3 yrs for women candidates, with an upper age limit of 38 years. Work done prior to 31 December 2023 will only be considered.

Please find more information about the award from the link below, the nominations will be accepted through the online form available in the page.
For the award year 2024, the nominations for the award must be received by 18th Nov 2024.

https://www.astron-soc.in/vainu_bappu.

Please find the poster for your reference from the following link, and request for wide publicity regarding this award.

https://astron-soc.in/sites/default/files/ASI_VB2024.pdf

Best regards.
Sarita Vig
Secretary – ASI

The Third Penn State SETI Symposium

This symposium will be a broad look at SETI, including new technosignature search results and upper limits, new search methodologies and instrumentation, theory, and social aspects of the field including the post-detection protocols, message construction, and the historical roots of the field. Interdisciplinarity will be emphasized. As with previous instances, we encourage the submission of proposals for breakout sessions for workshops, tutorials, or special sessions on narrower topics. Early career researchers are especially encouraged to attend.

Website link: https://sites.psu.edu/setisymposium2025/

To receive updates including announcement of the opening of abstract submission and registration, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/BcXwwNGQkLwkpyf5A