December 28, 2007

Tom Droege

In recognition of his promotion of amateur-professional collaboration in astronomy, his mentoring of amateurs, and the vast amount of energy and funds he has contributed in making the TASS MarkIV survey a reality, this is to certify that Thomas F. Droege is an Honorary member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers for life, and is thereby entitled to all the privileges pertaining thereto.

The AAVSO 96th Annual Meeting, 2007

Leonard B. Abbey, Jr.

"...in appreciation of more than 50 years of service to the AAVSO, not only through his contribution of variable star observations, but also through his devotion of numerous hours as a volunteer and programmer to create and maintain important software packages that have been used by hundreds of observers and researchers worldwide."

The AAVSO 95th Annual Meeting, 2006

Christopher Watson

Christopher Watson receives his award from Arne Henden

"... for his dedicated efforts in supplying cutting-edge technological services to both the AAVSO and the astronomical community as a whole. His Variable Star Index (VSX) program is assisting thousands of variable star observers and researchers in their mutual quest to understand these enigmatic points of light."

The AAVSO 94th Annual Meeting, 2005

Charles E. Scovil

Charles Scovil receives his award.

"... for forty years of devoted volunteer service to the Association, and in particular for 35 years as Chair of the AAVSO Telescope Committee, where your expertise with observing equipment was invaluable, and for 13 years as Chair of the AAVSO New Charts Committee, where your diligence and meticulous work helped realize the standardization of AAVSO charts and make more efficient their creation, drafting, and distribution."

Charles A. Whitney

Charles Whitney receives his award.

"... for thirty years of devoted volunteer service to the Association as Editor of the Journal of the AAVSO. Through your knowledge, guidance, constant support, and professionalism, you have helped to make the Journal into a recognized and respected resource for variable star research, and in this way, you have helped to further the goals of the AAVSO."

The AAVSO 91st Spring Meeting, 2002

Arne receives his award

Arne Henden
"... for his greatly valued mentoring of the observers and his enthusiastic and untiring support of the activities of the AAVSO International GRB Network."

Chryssa Kouveliotou and Gerald Fishman
"... for strongly suporting the activities of the AAVSO International GRB Network, organizing with the AAVSO the Second High-Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers, and for the greatly valued and fruitful collaboration."

Riccardo Giacconi

The Nobel Prize in Physics, 2002

Riccardo Giacconi, the "father of X-ray astronomy," has received the Nobel Prize in physics for "pioneering contributions to astrophysics," which have led to the discovery of cosmic X-ray sources. [More]

The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) had the honor of hosting Dr. Giacconi as guest speaker for the Dedication of the AAVSO Headquarters, the Clinton B. Ford Astronomical Data and Research Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, August 6, 1986. He talked about the significant contributions of AAVSO members to astronomy and cited several examples of collaboration between amateurs and professionals that has advanced astronomical research of variable stars. [ Full text of remarks ]

The AAVSO 90th Annual Meeting, Somerville, Massachusetts, November 3, 2001

Howard J. Landis accepts his award of appreciation for 26 years as PEP Chairman, archivist, and AAVSO mentor.

Special Award of Appreciation and Thanks

Presented to Howard J. Landis

"...for his many contributions to the AAVSO, including 26 years as Chair of the AAVSO Photoelectric Photometry Committee, serving as Archivist of the AAVSO PEP Database since its inception, and mentoring observers around the world."     [full text of citation]

The AAVSO 89th Annual Meeting, Waltham, Massachusetts, October 28, 2000

John E. Bortle is presented with his award for dedication to and 30 years editorship of the AAVSO Circular.

AAVSO Award of Appreciation
Presented to:

"...for his thirty years of dedication and service to observers and researchers worldwide in informing them of variable star activity as the editor of the AAVSO Circular."

The High-Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers, held in Huntsville, Alabama, April 13-14, 2000

AAVSO Award of Appreciation
Presented to:

"...for their gracious hospitality, for their help in the local organization of the first-ever High-Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers, and for promoting astronomy to the public, educators, and students."

AAVSO Award of Appreciation
Presented to:

"...for their gracious hospitality, for their help in the local organization of the first-ever High-Energy Astrophysics Workshop for Amateur Astronomers, and for promoting astronomy to the public, educators, and students."

Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 14, 1999

AAVSO Award of Congratulations and Thanks
Presented to:

"...for its 60th Anniversary of the Society and the many contributions to astronomy, particularly in variable stars, made by the Society."

Naming of Minor Planet in honor of Margaret and Newton Mayall — January 26, 1990

Brian Marsden presents a certificate announcing the naming of Minor Planet Fivesparks in honor of Margaret and Newton Mayall.

The International Astronomical Union named minor planet 3342 "Fivesparks", in honor of Margaret Mayall (Director of the AAVSO 1949-1973) and her husband Newton Mayall. Fivesparks symbolizes the house of Margaret and Newton Mayall at 5 Sparks St. in Cambridge. The minor planet was given the name Fivesparks because the conventional naming of "Mayall" had already been used to name a minor planet in honor of the astronomer Nicholas Mayall.