The Optical Society of America (OSA) is an international scientific
society dedicated to increasing and spreading knowledge of optics and photonics through
its world-renowned publications and education forums. Founded in 1916, OSA has nearly
14,000 individual and more 250 corporate members including scientists, engineers, and
technicians from the United States and nearly 90 other countries.
SPIE—The International Society for Optical Engineering is
dedicated to providing continuing education and information to the optical science and
engineering community worldwide. It is committed to advancing scientific research and
engineering applications of optical, photonic, imaging, and optoelectronic technologies
through its education programs, meetings, and publications. The society has more
than 16,000 individual, 360 corporate, and 5,000 technical group members in more than 78 countries.
The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) was formed to
provide the best ground-based astronomical telescopes to the nation's astronomers,
to promote public understanding and support of science, and to help advance all
aspects of U.S. astronomy. It manages the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Cerro
Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, and the National Solar Observatory with
facilities at Sacramento Peak, New Mexico and Kitt Peak, Arizona. It has expertise in
design of instructional materials in astronomy, optical science, and engineering as
well as a history of working effectively with schools, science centers, and teachers.
Today NOAO also represents the U.S. astronomical community in the International Gemini
Project, with large telescopes in Hawaii and Chile.