Homer E. Newell

Space science in retrospect

Thirty years ago, when we began to use rockets to explore the upper atmosphere, there were all kinds of questions that needed an answer. Before that time the study of the ionosphere, the aurora, and other high-altitude phenomena was wholly indirect, that is, by deduction from what was observed from the ground. But this led to endless discussions of what atoms and molecules are there, what are the winds and other motions, what reactions do solar radiations cause, what happens in an aurora, how is the ionosphere formed, and what changes take place between day and night, between the different seasons, and throughout the sunspot cycle. The arguments went on and on and led to few firm conclusions because of lack of the on-the-spot measurements needed to choose between the many theoretical possibilities. The sounding rocket (Figure 1) and later the satellite and the space probe changed all that, and they have had a remarkable and salutary impact on a number of scientific disciplines. This influence is well illustrated by both the earth sciences and astronomy.

The President's Page: Time of change

The past two years have been a period of considerable activity for the American Geophysical Union. During those two years, the Union participated in the Fifteenth General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, developed plans for separating from the National Academy of Sciences, prepared amended Statutes and Bylaws for consideration by the membership, worked with the NAS on the development of a new constitution for the U.S. National Committee for IUGG, and set in motion efforts to develop closer working relationships with the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Scientific Radio (URSI). Since this activity implies significant changes for AGU and its relations to the NAS, IUGG, and other scientific societies, it seems appropriate to give members a brief accounting.

The President's Page: AGU National Meetings

The Annual Meetings of the American Geophysical Union provide an opportunity for 2500 participants to meet in formal and informal gatherings and exchange views on the latest activities in geophysics. Over the years AGU has attempted to accommodate both traditional interests and those that are newest and most challenging. That some measure of success has been achieved is indicated by the steady growth of the Union to over 10,000 members today, the large attendance and lively discussion at the meetings, and the steady high-quality production of its publications.

The President's Page: Science and the public

Scientific societies today are wrestling with questions of how to convey better to the public the significance and role of science in modern society. The need, which is so strongly felt today, to make clear the practical importance of science arises from widespread questioning and expressed doubts about the kinds and levels of scientific research that public funds should support, doubts that find tangible expression in shrinking budgets for basic research. This crisis of confidence in science, and in technology as well, comes at a time when their contributions to human progress and welfare have been the most outstanding in human history. There is a wealth of examples from the past to show the tremendous value of science and technology to our country and to the world. A steady increase in health, longevity, and in our standard of living stems directly from the practical use of scientific knowledge. It is confusing, therefore, to scientists who feel justly proud of their work and their substantial contributions to the advancement of mankind, to find their contributions so sorely questioned. There has naturally arisen within the scientific community a series of soulsearching debates and a continuing lament over the sorry plight of science today.

Eighth presentation of the John Adam Fleming Award, April 8, 1968

Over the short period of less than fifteen years, Eugene N. Parker has enriched the sciences of geophysics and astrophysics with an unbroken series of original contributions on the dynamics of the solar wind, magnetic field amplification in the geomagnetic dynamo, magnetic storm mechanisms, and the kinetic properties of the cosmic ray gas. Dr. Parker was born in Houghton, Michigan, in 1927. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State College in 1948 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the California Institute of Technology in 1951. Dr. Parker held positions as instructor and later as assistant professor of mathematics, astronomy, and physics at the University of Utah from 1951 to 1955. In 1955, he joined the University of Chicago, where he is presently serving as a professor of physics and as a member of the staff of the Enrico Fermi Institute for Nuclear Studies.