Gordon Myers Amateur Achievement Award
The Gordon Myers Amateur Achievement Award, known until 2018 as the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, is one of nine annual astronomical awards managed by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. It recognizes "significant contributions to astronomy or amateur astronomy by those not employed in the field of astronomy in a professional capacity."[1] The contributions can be done in the fields of both observational astronomy or astronomical technologies.[2] The award has been given to amateur astronomers from various countries since 1979 and has become one of the most geographically diverse astronomical awards.[3]
Gordon Myers Amateur Achievement Award | |
---|---|
Awarded for | Significant contributions to astronomy or amateur astronomy |
Presented by | Astronomical Society of the Pacific |
First awarded | 1979 |
Website | astrosociety |
Award winners receive a commemorative plaque, which is presented at the Annual Meeting Awards Banquet. The monetary value of the award is US$500. Candidates can be nominated by any member of the astronomical community (with the exception of the nominees themselves and their families) and the nominations should be accompanied by other letters of support. All the nominations have to be delivered to the Astronomical Society of the Pacific by December 15 of the nominating year and remain valid for three years. The winners are selected by the Awards Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The committee have the right not to award any of the nominees if they do not consider their achievements exceptional enough,[1] which has already happened several times.[4]
Winners
Recipients of the award have been: [5]
![An elderly man with descending hair talking behind a speaker's desk with a microphone. There is a picture of an explosion on the surface of a planet in the background.](../I/David_H._Levy.jpg.webp)
![A neutrally looking elderly man with gray hair and a horse tail. He has a tattoo on the left upper arm, as well as a bracelet and a ring.](../I/Nik_Szymanek.jpg.webp)
![Half-length portrait of a man with descending brown hair. He is standing, looking into the camera and smiling. He is wearing a blue sweatshirt. A part of an astronomical telescope is visible in the background.](../I/Kamil_Hornoch%252C_Ond%C5%99ejov_Astronomical.jpg.webp)
Year | Name | Nationality | Field | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | James McMahon | ![]() |
Occultations | [3] |
1980 | Frank Bateson | ![]() |
Variable stars | [6] |
1981 | George Alcock | ![]() |
Novae/Comets | [7] |
1982 | Ben Mayer | ![]() |
Problicom | [8][9] |
1983 | J. U. Gunter | ![]() |
Asteroids | [10][11] |
1984 | Russell Genet | ![]() |
Photoelectric photometry | [12] |
1985 | Gregg Thompson & Robert Evans | ![]() |
Supernovae | [13][14] |
1986 | Jean Meeus | ![]() |
Computational astronomy | [15][16] |
1987 | Clinton B. Ford | ![]() |
Variable stars | [17] |
1988 | Jack B. Newton | ![]() |
Astrophotography | [18] |
1989 | Paul Baize | ![]() |
Double stars | [19] |
1990 | Oscar Monnig | ![]() |
Meteorites | [20] |
1991 | Otto Kippes | ![]() |
Asteroid orbits | [21] |
1992 | Richard Lines & Helen Lines |
![]() |
Photoelectric photometry of variable stars | [22] |
1993 | David H. Levy | ![]() ![]() |
Comets | [23] |
1994 | Walter H. Haas | ![]() |
ALPO founder | [4] |
1995 | Donald Parker | ![]() |
Planetary imaging | [4] |
1996 | M. Daniel Overbeek | ![]() |
Variable stars | [24] |
1997 | Edward A. Halbach | ![]() |
Variable stars/occultations | [25] |
1998 | Albert F. A. L. Jones | ![]() |
Variable stars/comets | [26] |
1999 | Warren Offutt | ![]() |
Trans-Neptunian objects | [27] |
2000 | Paul Boltwood | ![]() |
Deep-sky imaging/Comet Hyakutake | [28] |
2001 | Syuichi Nakano | ![]() |
Computing comet orbits | [29] |
2002 | No award | |||
2003 | Kyle E. Smalley | ![]() |
Near-Earth asteroids | [30] |
2004 | Nik Szymanek | ![]() |
Imaging and image processing | [31] |
2005 | Tim Hunter | ![]() |
Light pollution | [32] |
2006 | Kamil Hornoch | ![]() |
Visual and CCD observations of variable stars/comets | [33] |
2007 | Peter Francis Williams | ![]() |
R Coronae Borealis stars/variable star monitoring | [34] |
2008 | Steve Mandel | ![]() |
CCD imaging | [35] |
2009 | Thomas Droege | ![]() |
Developing CCD instrumentation and a worldwide sky survey program | [36] |
2010 | Allan Rahill | ![]() |
Adapted Canadian Meteorological Centre forecast products for the purpose of planning observing sessions with highly accurate high resolution point forecasts of cloud cover, transparency, seeing, darkness, wind, temperature and humidity over North and Central America | [37] |
2011 | Kevin Apps | ![]() |
Advancing the fields of extra-solar planet research and stellar astrophysics | [38] |
2012 | Jeffrey L. Hopkins | ![]() |
Photoelectric photometry and high-resolution spectroscopy | [39] |
2013 | No award | |||
2014 | Rod Stubbings | ![]() |
Instrumental in helping redefine the Z Cam sub-type of dwarf novae, and discovered the recurrent nova V745 Sco in outburst in the morning sky, triggering an AAVSO Alert Notice and significant attention from the astronomical community | [40] |
2015 | No award | |||
2016 | No award | |||
2017 | Gao Xing | ![]() |
Supernovae/Comets | [41] |
2018 | Thiam-Guan Tan | ![]() |
Exoplanets | [42] |
See also
Other Astronomical Society of the Pacific awards:
Other amateur astronomy awards:
Notes
- "Amateur Achievement Award of Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
- "2008 ASP Award Recipients Press Release" (Press release). Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
- Bracher, Katherine (September–October 1989), "16. New People, New Awards, New Approaches" (PDF), Centennial History of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (PDF), Astronomical Society of the Pacific, p. 34, retrieved November 21, 2009
- "Past Amateur Achievement Winners". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "Past recipients". Astronomica Society of the Pacific. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- Kuhi, L.; A. Fraknoi (1980). "Frank Bateson received the Amateur Achievement Award". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 9: 162. Bibcode:1980Mercu...9..162K.
- Arp, H. C.; A. Fraknoi (1981). "George E. D. Alcock received the Amateur Achievement Award". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 10: 186–189. Bibcode:1981Mercu..10..186A.
- Arp, H. C.; A. Fraknoi (1982). "1982 A.S.P. Amateur Achievement Award – Mayer, Ben". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 11: 156. Bibcode:1982Mercu..11..156A.
- "Ben Mayer received the Amateur Achievement Award". Physics Today. American Institute of Physics. 35 (11): 83. 1982. Bibcode:1982PhT....35...83.. doi:10.1063/1.2914861.
- Morrison, D.; A. Fraknoi (1983). "Jay U. Gunter received the Amateur Achievement Award 1983 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 6 (6): 186. Bibcode:1983Mercu..12Q.186M.
- "Jay Gunter received the Amateur Achievement Award 1983 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Physics Today. American Institute of Physics. 37 (3): 113. 1984. Bibcode:1984PhT....37c.113.. doi:10.1063/1.2916126.
- Arp, H. C.; A. Fraknoi (December 1984). "Russel M. Genet received the Amateur Achievement Award 1984 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 13 (6): 168. Bibcode:1984Mercu..13..168W.
- Hesser, J. E.; A. Fraknoi (1985). "Gregg Thompson and Robert Evans received the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 14 (2): 44–45. Bibcode:1985Mercu..14S..44H.
- "Gregg Thompson and Robert Evans received the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Physics Today. American Institute of Physics. 38 (6): 90. 1985. Bibcode:1985PhT....38T..90.. doi:10.1063/1.2814606.
- Wolff, S.; A. Fraknoi (June 1986). "Jean Meeus received the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 15 (5): 142–143. Bibcode:1986Mercu..15R.142W.
- "Jean Meeus Wins Award" (PDF). National Newsletter. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. 80 (4): L53. August 1986. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- Hesser, J. E.; A. Fraknoi (September 1987). "Clinton B. Ford received the Amateur Achievement Award 1987 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 16 (5): 148. Bibcode:1987Mercu..16..148H.
- Hesser, J. E.; A. Fraknoi (1988). "Jack Newton received the Amateur Achievement Award 1988 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 27 (6): 189–190. Bibcode:1988Mercu..17R.189H.
- Morrison, N. D. (December 1989). "Paul Baize received the Amateur Achievement Award 1989 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 18 (3): 206. Bibcode:1989Mercu..18..203M.
- Morrison, N. D.; A. Fraknoi (December 1990). "Oscar Monnig received the Amateur Achievement Award 1990 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 19 (6): 186–187. Bibcode:1990Mercu..19..186M.
- Morrison, N. D. (December 1991). "Otto Kippes received the Amateur Achievement Award 1991 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 20 (6): 188–189. Bibcode:1991Mercu..20..188M.
- Genet, R. (December 1992). "Richard and Helen Lines received the Amateur Achievement Award 1992 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 21 (6): 199–200. Bibcode:1992Mercu..21..199G.
- Ferris, T. (August 1993). "David Levy received the Amateur Achievement Award 1993 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 22 (4): 125–126. Bibcode:1993Mercu..22..125F.
- "ASP Amateur Achievement Award to Danie Overbeek". Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa. Astronomical Society of Southern Africa. 56: 2. 1997. Bibcode:1997MNSSA..56....2.
- Mattei, J. A. (June 1997). "Edward A. Halbach received the Amateur Achievement Award 1997 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 26 (3): 6. Bibcode:1997Mercu..26c...6M.
- "Awards Received" (PDF). AAVSO Newsletter. The American Association of Variable Star Observers (21): 2. December 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 25, 2006. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- Mattei, J. A. (June 1999). "Warren Offutt received the Amateur Achievement Award 1999 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Mercury. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 28 (3): 5. Bibcode:1999Mercu..28c...5M.
- "2000 ASP Annual Award Winners". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2001 ASP Award Winners Press Release". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on November 7, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2003 ASP Award Winners Press Release". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2004 ASP Award Recipients Press Release". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2005 ASP Annual Award Winners – Amateur Achievement Award – Tim Hunter". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2006 ASP Annual Award Winners – Amateur Achievement Award – Kamil Hornoch". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2007 ASP Annual Award Winners – Amateur Achievement Award – Peter Francis Williams". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2008 ASP Annual Award Winners – Amateur Achievement Award – Stevel Mandel". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2009 ASP Award Recipients Press Release". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- "2010 ASP Award Recipients Press Release". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- "2011 ASP Award Recipients Press Release". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- "The Astronomical Society of the Pacific Announces 2012 Award Recipients in Astronomy Research and Education". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
- "Annual Awards". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
- "The Astronomical Society of the Pacific Announces Its 2017 Award Recipients for Astronomy Research and Education". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- "The Astronomical Society of the Pacific Announces Its 2018 Award Recipients for Astronomy Research and Education". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
References
- "Amateur Achievement Award of Astronomical Society of the Pacific". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
- "Past Amateur Achievement Winners". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved November 21, 2009.