Events of Interest (Updated): Week of October 5-9, 2009

The following events in the coming week may be of interest. In addition, the Senate is expected to pass the conference report on the Energy-Water appropriations bill, pass the Department of Defense appropriations bill (action was not completed last week as earlier expected), and possibly turn to the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill (which includes NASA and NOAA).

Monday, October 5

• NRC Astro2010 Decadal Survey. Open Sessions 9:15 am -12:30 pm. National Academy of Sciences building, 2100 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, October 7

• Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act, 10:00 am, 253 Russell Senate Office Building. Dates and times for congressional hearings are subject to change. Check the committee’s website for up to date information.
• President Obama to speak about his commitment to science and math education as part of a White House Star Party in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy. 8:00 pm, EDT. His brief remarks will be streamed on the White House website: whitehouse.gov.

Thursday, October 8

• Augustine Committee, Public Teleconference, 1:00-2:00 EDT. See NASA’s press release for call-in numbers to listen.
• NRC Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space, Panel on Plant and Microbial Biology. Open Sessions 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. Keck Center, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC

Friday, October 9

• Watch LCROSS impact the Moon at the Newseum. Open and free to the public. Doors open at 6:30 am; program begins at 7:00 am. Impact of the Centaur is scheduled for 7:25 am with LCROSS following suit at 7:30. The Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
• Beyond the Decade: The Future of International Astronomy – A Celebration of the International Year of Astronomy. National Academies’ Keck Center, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington , D.C. 9:00 am-5:00 pm.