Laboratory Astrophysics in the United States

Laboratory astrophysics is a strong and vibrant field in the US with its primary national
representation as a full Division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Laboratory
Astrophysics is also represented in other major scientific societies such as the Astrochemistry
subdivision of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the High Energy Density Laboratory
Astrophysics (HEDLA) and the Division of Astrophysics (DAP) of the American Physical Society
(APS) to cite a few. Laboratory Astrophysics and Astrochemistry is also well represented in
federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) where research programs are fully dedicated to the support
of laboratory astrophysics research. Laboratory Astrophysics is also well represented in the
Academic arena where Physics, Astronomy and/or Chemistry Departments in many universities
host a laboratory Astrophysics or Astrochemistry curriculum. The increasing recognition of the
field of laboratory astrophysics has been recently reinforced by its inclusion into the
recommendations of the two most recent Decadal Surveys of the National Academy of Sciences
(NAS). I will discuss and present the many aspects and representations of Laboratory
Astrophysics in the US and summarize the current efforts in the field.