The 37th AAVSO Merit Award

There are many observers whose contributions to the AAVSO have gone far beyond observing to other activities as well. The Association shows its gratitude to such individuals by presenting them with its highest award, the AAVSO Merit Award, an illuminated scroll and citation describing their contributions. This award is presented to any member who, by majority vote of the AAVSO Council, is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution as an observer, or as a long-standing benefactor. This past year the AAVSO Council voted to present the 37th AAVSO Merit Award to Martha L. Hazen.

"... in recognition of her outstanding service to the AAVSO during many years as Councilor, President, and Secretary, recognizing that she always reflected wisely on the long-term needs of the association and its members and offered sound counsel, especially to the presidents and the Director, and technical support to AAVSO observers while assisting in many other ways."

Martha was unable to attend the offcial award presentation at the AAVSO Fall Meeting, so Director Arne Henden, along with HQ staff members Elizabeth Waagen and Travis Searle, ventured out to Martha's home where the Merit Award was presented to Martha at an impromptu and surprise ceremony. A Quicktime movie of the presentation was played at the banquet.

The Merit Award

The AAVSO proudly presented two Special Recognition Awards at the 94th Annual Meeting this fall.

AAVSO Director Arne Henden (L) presents JAAVSO Editor Charles Whitney (R) with a Special Recognition Award

The first award went to JAAVSO Editor Charles A. Whitney. Charles has spent the past thirty years as a devoted volunteer of the Association as Journal Editor. His knowledge, guidance, constant support, and professionalism have helped to make the Journal into a recognized and respected resource for variable star research. We were pleased to have Charles and his wife, Elizabeth, on hand for the award presentation.

Charles Scovil (R) accepts his award for 40 years of volunteer service to the AAVSO

The second special recognition award was presented to longtime AAVSO member, officer, observer, supporter, and chart guru Charles Scovil. Charles was recognized for his forty years of devoted volunteer service to the AAVSO. Charles spent 35 years as Chair of the AAVSO Telescope Committee and 13 years as Chair of the AAVSO New Charts Committee, where his dedication and diligence was key to the standardization of AAVSO charts and helped tp make more efficient their creation, drafting, and distribution. Charles is also well-known for editing the AAVSO Variable Star Atlas. We were delighted to see Charles at the meeting and we remain grateful for his hard work and dedication to the AAVSO.

Special Recognition Awards

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Solar and SID Observer Awards

Solar Observer and HQ volunteer Arthur Ritchie (R) accepts his Sunspot Observer Award.

Solar Observer Awards are certificates presented to solar observers who have reached milestones of 1000, 1500, and 2000 sunspot observations. In 2004 a new SID awards program was put in place that will allow SID observers to receive recognition for their efforts. In recognition of outstanding solar observing contributions, the most recent solar and SID observer awards were presented at the AAVSO 94th Annual Meeting, Newton, Massachusetts, October 15, 2005.

Sunspot Observations	Country
	Biswajit Bose		India
	Robert Brown		USA
	Brian Cudnik		USA
	Tom Fleming		USA
	Monty Leventhal		Austrailia
	Etsuiku Mochizuki	Japan
	Michael Moeller		Germany
	Arthur Ritchie		USA	   
	Nick Stoikidis		Greece
	Miyoshi Suzuki		Japan
	David Teske		USA

	SID Reports		Country
	Peter King		England
	Ted Poulos		USA
	Roberto Battaiola		Italy	
	Andrew Clerkin		USA	
	Francois Steyn		South Africa
	Jon Wallace		USA

Solar Observer Awards

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The Nova/Supernova Award

Receiving a Supernova Award this fall was Robert O. Evans of Hazelbrook, NSW, Australia, for his visual discovery of Supernova 2005df in NGC 1559 on August 4.625 UT.

The Nova/Supernova Awards

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AAVSO HQ Staff Recognition

10 Years
Rebecca Turner - Astronomical Technical Assistant / Meeting Coordinator

5 Years
Travis Searle - Administrative Assistant / Membership Coordinator

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