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RSAA News of the Month: September 2007

New RSAA Director Arrives 28 September

The Australian National University and the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics (RSAA) welcomes back alumnus Professor Harvey Butcher as he takes up his appointment as RSAA Director.

Professor Butcher, an astronomer with an outstanding reputation as a scientist, is known for his contributions to fields as diverse as the chemical abundances in the oldest stars and the evolution of distant clusters of galaxies.

"Professor Butcher brings substantial research and management experience to the role," said ANU vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb.

"We are always pleased to welcome back an alumnus, especially one that has gone on to an exceptional international academic career."

Professor Butcher completed a PhD at Mt Stromlo Observatory in 1974. He subsequently held positions at the University of Arizona and the Kitt Peak National Observatory in the USA, and at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

From 1991 until recently Professor Butcher was Director of the Netherlands Foundation for Research in Astronomy, the national facilities organization for astronomy in the Netherlands. He has overseen Dutch efforts to develop innovative instrumentation for telescopes around the world and for the future James Webb Space Telescope satellite.

Professor Butcher will take up his new duties from Friday September 28.

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