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April 2009 (Volume 18, Number 4)

April 2009 (Volume 18, Number 4) Entire Issue

News

400 Years of Telescopes, and More, at APS April Meeting
This year’s April Meeting will highlight the history of the telescope, the future of the microscope and a public lecture about the end of the world.

Subscription Revenue, Membership Numbers Hold Steady Despite Downturn
Despite the faltering economy, APS’s finances remain strong and membership is up over last year

<em>Physics</em> Is Flourishing
The new online journal <em>Physics</em> has continued to gain readership since its launch last fall.

Prize and Award Nominations Now Electronic
The new system updates and simplifies the nomination process for all APS prizes and awards.

APS Video Contest Features Physics of Toys
This year’s video contest asks participants to explore the physics of their favorite toys.

Science Journalism Faces Perilous Times
As newspapers hit hard times, science journalism enters into a new and uncertain future.

Solar Energy, Energy Storage Highlight AAAS Symposium
Solar power holds tremendous promise for the country’s energy needs, but also faces numerous practical hurdles.

Opinion

Letters
Back and Forth on Faith and Physics • Katrina Disaster at Least Partly Manmade • Achievement not so New After All • Crucial to Help Pakistan with Science Education • Kirshner’s Account of Cosmic Acceleration History Challenged • APS Copyright Policy Still No Good

The Back Page
Putting US Nuclear Complex Under Pentagon Oversight Is a Bad Idea

Departments

Members in the Media
As quoted in other publications...

This Month in Physics History
April 25, 1954: Bell Labs demonstrates the first practical silicon solar cell

Zero Gravity: The Lighter Side of Science
The Cartooniverse

Washington Dispatch
A bimonthly update from the APS Office of Public Affairs

Focus on APS Topical Groups
Few Body Systems

International News
Construction of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility starts in Hamburg

Profiles In Versatility
Helping Patients Leads to Satisfying Biotech Career

Thirty-nine and Counting
Annual Convocation Unit 09

By Ken Cole/APS

On February 28, APS held its annual Unit Convocation for officers of its Divisions, Topical Groups, Forums, and Sections. Eighty-three officers, representing all 39 units, attended the event at APS headquarters in College Park, MD. About 50 of them arrived a day early to participate in visits to Capitol Hill to lobby for science. In the picture, during one of the breakout sessions, APS Director of Membership Trish Lettieri (left) explains the intricacies of enhancing unit membership to (l to r): Noemie Koller, Chair-elect of the Forum on International Physics; Chris Fasano, Chair-elect of the new Prairie Section; and Terry Sheridan, Chair-elect of the Ohio-region Section.