Physics & Astronomy

AAPT was established in 1930 with the fundamental goal of ensuring the "dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching." Paul E. Klopsteg, Ph.D., the Association's first president, led the effort to organize the first association dedicated to improving physics education. Today that vision is supported by more than 11,000 members in 30 countries around the world.

The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The basic objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science. The membership (~7,000) also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy.

Dedicated to the advancement of physics, AIP serves a federation of physical science societies, and provides leadership through its own programs and publications.

Physics features three kinds of articles: Viewpoints are essays of approximately 1000–1500 words that focus on a single Physical Review paper or PRL letter and put this work into broader context. Trends are concise review articles (3000–4000 words in length) that survey a particular area and look for interesting developments in that field. Synopses (200 words) are staff-written distillations of interesting and important papers each week. In addition, we intend to publish selected Letters to the Editor to allow readers a chance to comment on the commentaries and summaries.

AURA is a consortium of universities, and educational and other non-profit institutions, that operates world-class astronomical observatories that we term "centers." Our members are 34 U.S. institutions and 7 international affiliates. We view ourselves as acting on behalf of the science communities that are served by our centers, and as trustees and advocates for the centers' missions.

The European Physical Society is a not for profit association whose purpose is to promote physics and physicists in Europe.

The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of over 36,000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public. Its publishing company, IOP Publishing, is a world leader in scientific publishing and the electronic dissemination of physics.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation.

The aims of the Union are: to stimulate and promote international cooperation in physics; to sponsor suitable international meetings and to assist organizing committees; to foster the preparation and the publication of abstracts of papers and tables of physical constants; to promote international agreements on other use of symbols, units, nomenclature and standards; to foster free circulation of scientists; to encourage research and education.

US space agency.

Founded in 1916, the Optical Society of America (OSA) was organized to increase and diffuse the knowledge of optics, pure and applied; to promote the common interests of investigators of optical problems, of designers and of users of optical apparatus of all kinds; and to encourage cooperation among them. The purposes of the Society are scientific, technical and educational.

National honor society for physics students.

SPIE is an international society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light.