The Director's Award is awarded at the Director's discretion in the form of a plaque to an outstanding observer who contributes to special observing projects.
2012
Chris Watson of San Diego, California
In recognition of Chris Watson's work as an AAVSO Council member and his contribution of countless hours of technical expertise to the creation and refinement of VSX, VSP, and VSD.
2011
David Benn of Klemzig, South Australia
In recognition of David Benn's work in porting Variable Star Astronomy (Hands-on Astrophysics) software into a modern Java tool. VSTAR became the showpiece for the Citizen Sky project. "David is the perfect example of a volunteer who brings to the table expertise not available at headquarters; devotes an enormous amount of time and effort in supporting our organization; and does this without asking for any recognition. This award is only a small token of my appreciation for his contributions."
2010—No Director's award was given this year.
2009
Sebastian Otero of Buenos Aires, Argentina
... in recognition of his unique ability to achieve high precision visual estimates and his mentoring of others to help them reach their visual observing potential, and of his contributions to reviewing submissions to the International Variable Star Index (VSX) and guiding observers through the submission process.
Patrick Wils of Hever, Belgium
... in recognition of his contributions to the field of data mining, and of his volunteer effort in support of the International Variable Star Index (VSX), including importing many published lists of stars, reviewing submissions, and acting as a mentor to observers who have discovered new variables.
2008—No Director's award was given this year.
2007—Presented at the 96th Spring Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Vance Petriew of Saskatchewan, Canada
... for his leadership of the Comparison Star Database Team, devoting numerous hours in the documentation of every comparison star currently used by the AAVSO. Vance also utilized his database skills in the creation of the Variable Standards Database, a masterful relational database of the comparison stars that can be updated in perpetuity. All the while, Vance has been a major observational contributor to our International Database, showing his enthusiasm and pursuit of all aspects of variable star astronomy.
2006—No Director's award was given this year.
2005—Presented at the 94th Spring Meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Michael A. Simonsen of Imlay City, Michigan, USA
...for valuable contributions of variable star observations during campaigns in support of professional ground-based and satellite programs, and a cumulative total of nearly 42,000 visual observations contributed to the AAVSO International Database since 1998...
2004—Presented at the 93rd Spring Meeting in Berkeley, California
Christopher Stephan of Coos Bay, Oregon
...for his dedicated contributions since 1973 to special observing programs and the AAVSO International Database, for his inspiring and mentoring of new observers, and his astronomy education efforts, particularly for young people.
Arto Oksanen of Muurame, Finland
... for his meticulous CCD high-speed photometry of objects whenever possible, providing vital contributions to special observing programs and the AAVSO International Database, and for his outreach and mentoring of new CCD observers in his native Finland.
2003—Presented at the 92nd Spring Meeting in Tucson, Arizona
Richard Huziak of Canada
...for his contribution of timely variable star observations during special observing runs with ground-based and satellite instruments and a cumulative total of nearly 25,000 since 1980, his work in the investigation of comparison and field stars suspected of variability, in helping to improve charts and comparison star sequences, and his fostering of variable star observing through his many dynamic talks to RASC Centres and other astronomy groups this past year.
Gary Poyner of England
...for his meticulous observing of variable stars (over 100,000 observations since 1991) and his contribution of timely and often critical observations during special observing runs with ground-based and satellite instruments, making immediate observations at the request of Headquarters to confirm potential discoveries, and, as Director of the Variable Star Section of the British Astronomical Association, mentoring observers, fostering productive collaborations and amity among variable star observing associations worldwide, and working to maintain and improve the level of variable star observing worldwide.
2002—AAVSO 91st Spring Meeting, Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii
William Albrecht, USA
Thomas A. Cragg, Australia
Rod Stubbings, Australia
Richard E. Wend, USA
2001—Announced at the AAVSO 90th Spring Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, but presented at the Annual Meeting in Somerville, Massachusetts
Stephen D. O'Connor, Canada
"... for providing valuable and often pivotal data during special observing runs, for his contributions to AAVSO chart work, and for maximizing the value of his observations through very careful planning of his observing program."
2000—AAVSO 89th Spring Meeting, Huntsville, Alabama
Ronald E. Zissell, USA
1999—AAVSO 88th Spring Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Charles E. Scovil, USA
"...for his tireless efforts in chart making...."
1998—AAVSO 87th Spring Meeting, Boulder, Colorado
Gene A. Hanson, II, USA
1997—AAVSO 86th Spring Meeting, Sion and St. Luc, Switzerland
Albert F. Jones, New Zealand
Michel Grenon, Switzerland
Thomas A. Burrows, USA
1996—AAVSO 85th Spring Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia
William Gregory Dillon, USA
1995—AAVSO 84th Spring Meeting, Stamford, Connecticut
John Emerson Bortle, USA
1994—AAVSO 83rd Spring Meeting, Houston, Texas
M. Daniel Overbeek, South Africa
Last Updated: June 1, 2012 - 1:48pm
- awards [1]
- director's award [2]
- honors [3]
- recognition [4]
