IAU Regions and Regional Astronomy

Abstract

Continuous regional cooperation is efficient and constructive for long-term development of astronomy, as clearly shown by the great success of ESO in the European Region. The IAU does not formally define its Regions, however they are becoming clear through the Regional Meetings during recent decades. We present some statistics and considerations about five IAU Regions, based on the temporarily assumed geographical distribution of IAU National Members. For further growth of IAU and worldwide astronomy, the role of Asian Pacific, Lain American, and Mid-East & African Regions is essentially important. We can identify three groups; “Super”, “Advanced”, and “Developing” groups of IAU National Members based on the rate of IAU Individual Member per population in each of the National Members. This rate, identical to the number of astronomer per head of population, can be regarded as an indicator of the “strength” of astronomy in each of the NMs, while the number of Individual Members indicates the “size” of astronomical research. We find that the distribution of this rate shows clear differences from Region to Region. Based on this analysis, we propose planning within IAU National Members, each Region and the EC so as to grow from a “Developed” group to an “Advanced” group, as well as to increase the number of NMs. The IAU should encourage and support those efforts by National Members and Regions through the platform of Regional Meetings, the OAD and other possible strategic programmes.