1. GENERAL INFORMATION

The mission of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is to promote the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. It was founded in 1919 in Paris where it still has its headquarters; Greece was one of its founding members. Its General Assembly is held every three years at a different place each time. Individual members of the IAU are professional astronomers, at the PhD level and beyond, who are active in research and education. IAU Members can also be organizations and countries (called International Members) active in the field of astronomy. IAU individual members are currently more than 12600 spanning 96 countries; there are also 79 National Members, i.e. professional astronomical communities, representing their countries in the Union.

The IAU is responsible for the Minor Planet Center and the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT). It is also the internationally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and surface features on them.

Greece is represented by the President of the Greek National Committee for Astronomy.

GREEK NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR ASTRONOMY

The Greek National Committee for Astronomy (GNCA) is the Government’s official advisory body for all matters related to astronomical and astrophysical research. Its mission is to promote and coordinate astronomical activities in Greece as well as related matters requiring international cooperation. The Committee is appointed by the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI) for a 2-year term. You can find the composition of the new Board of Directors here. Current president of the Committee is Dr. Spyros Vassilakos, Director of IAASARS/NOA.