Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consortium founded in 1957 to create and share open access to world-class astronomical facilities. Its 51 member institutions govern an organization that manages major NSF and NASA astronomy centers, including NSF NOIRLab, the National Solar Observatory, and the Space Telescope Science Institute; advances ground- and space-based astrophysical research; unifies research communities; and supports public and educational outreach. AURA's current work includes the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Gemini Observatory, solar-physics facilities, Hubble and James Webb science operations, and the 2026 AURA Annual Meeting.