An international astronomy organization founded in 1919. The IAU promotes and coordinates international cooperation in astronomy and other space studies, and is the recognized authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and their surface features. In September 2017, the IAU’s Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature officially approved the naming of 14 features on the surface of Pluto. These are the first geological features on the dwarf planet to be named following the close fly-by of the New Horizons spacecraft in July 2015.

The organization's 12 557 members from 101 countries are professional astronomers who are often involved in space missions. Of those countries, 79 are National Members. Its 12 scientific divisions include those for Space and High-Energy Astrophysics, Planetary Systems Sciences, and Radio Astronomy. There are also 35 specialized commissions that cover the full spectrum of astronomy, nine Scientific Divisions, and 54 Working Groups. Its permanent secretariat is in Paris, France.

http://www.iau.org/ Useful text-only site outlining the organization and activities of the IAU. IAU announcements are posted on the site, and there are links to the divisions and special commissions set up by the Union.