tosphere.Very little discussion is given about the enormous expansion of interest in and studies of the internal magnetic field. The inter national program,Study of ...
Eos,Vol. 81, No. 17, April 25, 2000 the Indian contributions to studies in geomag netism. Two of the eight chapters are devoted to this aspect: Chapter 5 on the historical aspects of geomagnetism in India and chap ter 7 on the Indian contributions to modern geomagnetism. The emphasis in this book is on magnetic vari ations that have their origin in the upper atmos phere and in space.Very little is written about the internal magnetic field and its origin, but text on this aspect of geomagnetism has appeared in recent years so this lack of empha sis is not unreasonable.The first two chapters introduce the physical concepts required for studies in geomagnetism. Chapter 1 is on mag netism and magnetic fields, and chapter 2 is boldly titled "Magnetism in the Universe." I found that both chapters provide an excellent back ground on the physical principles and theory involved in the magnetic interactions that occur in the upper atmosphere and in space. Students will find these two chapters excellent sources for understanding the physical concepts involved in this aspect of geomagnetism. The magnetic fields of the Sun and the solar system are described in chapter 3,successful ly building on the physical concepts introduced in the first two chapters. Chapter 4 is the heart of the book, with more than 100 pages of text.
It describes the Earth s electromagnetic envi ronment and includes sections on instruments for measuring the geomagnetic field, a discus sion of global maps of the geomagnetic elements, variations in the magnetic field of external origin, and geomagnetic indices.lt concludes with some special features of the geomagnetic field and the ionosphere, which are latitude-dependent, such as the equatorial and auroral electrojets. Chapters 5 and 7 deal with the Indian contributions to geomagnet ism, which, while quite appropriate for this particular book, tend to be parochial for the general readership. Chapter 6 discusses current global studies in geomagnetism.This is placed in historical context with discussion of the International Geophysical Year and subsequent international programs. The discussion concentrates almost exclusively on studies of the Sun, the solar wind and interplanetary space, and the magnetosphere.Very little discussion is given about the enormous expansion of interest in and studies of the internal magnetic field. The inter national program,Study of the Earths Deep Interior (SEDI), was initiated by geomagnetists with interest in the internal magnetic field. It has developed into a most successful and active multidisciplinary program over the past
ABOUT A G U Democracy Requires Involvement PAGE 183
A
Three hundred scientists and engi neers from around the United States converged on Washington, D.C.,on April 5 to personally urge Congress to increase federal support for scientific research. The 5th annual Science, Engineering, and Tech nology Congressional Visits Day drew 33 Earth and space scientists, including a contingent of AGU members, to Capitol Hill for a series of face-to-face meetings with senators, representa tives, and legislative staff. These visitors advocat ed two common themes to the lawmakers: 1) supporting a balanced federal investment in science, engineering, and technology is funda mental to the nation s continued prosperity, and 2) science, engineering, and technology partnerships between government, universities, and industries means progress, economic growth, and jobs.
To prepare for the congressional visits, AGU and the American Geological Institute invited the geoscientists to AGU Headquarters on April 4 for a series of briefings from key feder al agencies that support Earth and Space science. Ghassem Asrar from the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Jim Whitcomb of the National Science Foun dation (NSF), David Evans from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),and Carla Biersack of the U.S. Geo logical Survey (USGS),each sketched out pro gram and budget priorities for their agencies. At a later gathering, with participants in other disciplines, Presidential Science Advisor Neal Lane told the group,"Despite progress, we are threatened by the budget resolution, which could translate into severe cuts. A budget that shortchanges research and development is not the best path." Lane also told the scientists that "the support you provide to your members of Congress is invaluable." In the same briefing, NSF Director Rita Colwell underscored that nearly half of NSF's ambitious $675 million budget increase is slated for "core activities" and not new initia tives. NSF's total budget request for fiscal year 2001 is $4.6 billion, 17.3% above last years level. Citing a statistic that should resonate with politicians accustomed to counting voters, Colwell added that NSF supports over 200,000 people per year via its grants, programs, and institutional support. Speaking to the theme of balanced federal funding for research, Al Teich, Science Policy Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),showed that U.S. federal support for life sciences has tripled since 1970 while funding for physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering has changed only marginally or remained flat. Teich also showed that the proportion of research in the United States funded by the fed
decade.Yet, not a single mention is made of the program. Finally, chapter 8 purports to discuss the applications of geomagnetism and magnet ism for development. I found the ending of the book to be disappointing and could well have been omitted. In The Earth's Magnetic Field,\he space would have been better devoted to the main magnetic field of internal origin with a discussion of dynamo theories of its origin and associated aspects. The five-page-long list of credits and permis sions at the beginning of the book seemed excessive. After all, the sources of diagrams were also given in each figure caption where necessary.This space could have been better used at the end of the book as an index. I found the lack of any index quite frustrating. As a commemorative volume to the continu ous operation of the Colabar-Alibag magnetic observatory over 150 years, this book is suc cessful in its aim to put Indian geomagnetism on the map. It would serve as a useful library volume for reference purposes. Reviewer Michael WMcElhinny Gondwana Consultants, Hat Head, New South Wales, Australia
eral government is declining.Today only onehalf of basic research in the United States is sponsored by the federal government, down from two-thirds of the total in 1991. Graphs showing these and other funding trends were provided for participants to leave in congres sional offices the next day Before fanning out across Capitol Hill on April 5, participants heard a wake-up call about getting involved in politics from U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.),who told the audience that one visit to Congress per year is not enough. Weldon stressed,"Democracy requires involvement.You don't have to be partisan, but you do have to be involved." Moreover, he cautioned that "the worst thing you can do is identify your issues with one [political] party or the other. The result is that one party takes you for granted, and the other dismisses you as unimportant." He urged that scientists need to communicate the nature of their work and its importance to the country more frequently to lawmakers, thus making it easier for the Congress to speak about science and technol ogy Lastly Weldon underscored the importance of congressional staff in Congress. He issued marching orders for each scientist to get to know, on a first-name basis, the legislative staff member responsible for science and technol ogy in three congressional offices for their state: two senators and one U.S. representative. The geoscientists involved took Weldon's words to heart and visited the offices of 26 senators and 19 representatives during the remainder of April 5. Some participants, like AGU members Anastasia Chopelas of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and Michael Brown of the University of Washington met personally with their representatives. Others, like Chris Maples of Indiana University,
Eos, Vol. 81, No. 17, April 25, 2000 criss-crossed Capitol Hill to brief congressional staff members in the personal offices of both Indiana senators, two Indiana represen tatives, and the Senate Agriculture Commit tee on the role of geosciences at the university, within the state of Indiana, and
throughout the United States and the world. For many, these visits were their first face-toface visits with politicians and their staff. Others return each year because they feel this kind of personal involvement is neces sary to advance support for the geosciences
Report on PIC Meeting
will request support to AIP until this program is self-sustaining. PIC also heard a presenta tion on National Geographic Society's televi sion programming and resolved to assist NGS as appropriate. The Committee slightly refined the rules for the new Perlman journalism award and urged that the nomination process be described in Eos. It was noted that AGU members rarely nominate journalists for the Perlman and Sullivan awards; most nominations are submit ted by science writers themselves. The Committee recommended that AGU contract for a senior AGU member to compile
PAGE 183 The AGU Public Information Committee (PIC) met at Headquarters February 24-25. It discussed efforts to increase the amount of Earth and space science covered on television, one of its goals in the 2000-2002 period. In particular, the PIC reaffirmed its support for the American Institute of Physics (AIP) series, Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science, to which local stations subscribe. A Council Project Fund proposal
in Congress.And it can be a thoroughly enjoy able experience. Peter Folger Public Affairs Manager AGU Headquarters,Washington, D.C.,USA
a database of experts in the full range of AGU sciences.This will be used when journalists seek information on short notice, usually in connec tion with events in the news or the publication of newsworthy journal articles. The new outreach Web site was reviewed, with particular attention paid to the questions of submission and review of content. The current PIC concluded this, its fourth and final meeting, with a discussion of the transi tion to the new PIC after July 1. Harvey Leifert Public Information Manager AGU Headquarters,Washington, D C , U S A
