Division on Dynamical Astronomy :

To foster excellence in astronomy, the Society awards eight prizes for outstanding contributions to astronomy.

Henry Norris Russell Lectureship

The Russell Lecturer is normally to be chosen annually on the basis of a lifetime of eminence in astronomical research.

2002 : George Wallerstein

Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy

The Pierce Prize is normally awarded annually for outstanding achievement, over the past five years, in observational astronomical research based on measurements of radiation from an astronomical object. It is given to an astronomer who has not attained 36 years of age in the year designated for the award.

2002 : Amy Barger

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Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy

The Warner Prize is normally awarded annually for a significant contribution to observational or theoretical astronomy during the five years preceding the award. It is given to an astronomer who has not attained 36 years of age in the year designated for the award. The recipient shall be a resident of North America (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico) or a member of a North American institution, stationed abroad.

2002 : Adam Riess

Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize

The Tinsley Prize recognizes an outstanding research contribution to astronomy or astrophysics, of an exceptionally creative or innovative character. The Prize is normally awarded every two years. No restrictions are placed on a candidate's citizenship or country of residency.

2002 : Geoffrey W. Marcy, R. Paul Butler, Steven S. Vogt.

Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation

The AAS's Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation is to be awarded to an individual, of any nationality, for the design, invention or significant improvement of instrumentation (not software) leading to advances in astronomy. No restrictions are placed on a candidate's citizenship or country of residency.

2002 : James E. Gunn

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George Van Biesbroeck Prize

The Van Biesbroeck prize is normally awarded annually, honors a living individual for long-term extraordinary or unselfish service to astronomy, often beyond the requirements of his or her paid position.

2002 : Victor M. Blanco

Education Prize

The AAS Education Prize is to recognize outstanding contributions to the education of the public, students and/or the next generation of professional astronomers.

2002 : Michael Zeilik

Joint prizes and awards

Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics

The Heineman Prize for Astrophysics is awarded jointly by the American Institute of Physics and the American Astronomical Society and is funded by the Heineman Foundation. It was established in 1979, to recognize outstanding work in the field of astrophysics. No restrictions are placed on a candidate's citizenship or country of residency.

2002 : J. Richard Bond

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Annie J. Cannon Award in Astronomy

The Cannon Award is now awarded annually to a woman for distinguished contributions to astronomy or for similar contributions in related sciences which have immediate application to astronomy.

2001 : Amy J. Barger

Award for Public Service to Science

This award is made in conjunction with the American Mathematical Society and American Physical Society. The awards will be given annually to up to four individuals who have performed outstanding public service in support of science.

2002 : Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Congressman James T. Walsh (R-NY)

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Division Prizes, Awards & Medals :

Division for Planetary Sciences

The Harold Masursky Award for Meritorious Service to Planetary Science

This prize is awarded annually (or less frequently) by the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society. The Harold Masursky Award for Meritorious Service to Planetary Science (hereafter referred to as the Masursky Award) was established by the DPS to recognize and honor individuals who have rendered outstanding service to planetary science and exploration through engineering, managerial, programmatic, or public service activities. For purposes of this award, planetary science and exploration shall be understood to refer to the multidisciplinary study of the solar system and its members, excluding work dealing primarily with the Sun or the Earth.

2000 : G. Brown

The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize in Planetary Science

This prize is awarded annually (or less frequently) by the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society. The Gerard P. Kuiper Prize (hereafter referred to as the Kuiper Prize), was established by the DPS to recognize and honor outstanding contributors to planetary science. It is to be awarded to scientists whose achievements have most advanced our understanding of the planetary system. For purposes of this prize, planetary science shall be understood to refer to the multidisciplinary study of the solar system and its members, excluding work dealing primarily with the Sun or the Earth.

2002 : E. Grün

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The Harold C. Urey Prize in Planetary Science

This prize is awarded annually (or less frequently) by the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society. The Harold C. Urey Prize (hereafter referred to as the Urey Prize), was established by the DPS to recognize and encourage outstanding achievements in planetary science by a young scientist.

2002 : J. Gladman

The Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science

This prize is awarded annually (or less frequently) by the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society. The Carl Sagan Medal (hereafter referred to ask the Sagan Medal) was established by the DPS to recognize and honor outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public. It is to be awarded to scientists whose efforts have significantly contributed to a public understanding of, and enthusiasm for, planetary science.

2002 : H. B. Hammel

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Division on Dynamical Astronomy

Dirk Brouwer Award

The Brouwer Award was established to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Dynamical Astronomy, including celestial mechanics, astrometry, geophysics, stellar systems, galactic and extra galactic dynamics. It is open to candidates of any age, or nationality, occupation or specific field of interest.

2001 : Jack Wisdom

Studentship Award

The Division on Dynamical Astronomy of the American Astronomical Society will provide up to two stipends of $400 each. The competition is open to all students currently enrolled in an academic program at any college or university and doing research in the area of dynamical astronomy. This includes, but is not limited to: Celestial and Orbital Mechanics, Satellite Geodesy, Astrometry, Stellar Systems, Galactic and Extragalactic Dynamics.

High Energy Astrophysics Division

Bruno Rossi Prize

The Rossi Prize is awarded annually in honor of Bruno Rossi ``for a significant contribution to High Energy Astrophysics, with particular emphasis on recent, original work.''

2002 : Leon Van Speybroeck, for his singular contribution to high energy astrophysics leading to the exquisite image quality produced by the X-ray optics and telescope of the Chandra X-ray Observatory.

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The David N. Schramm Award for High Energy Astrophysics Science Journalism

The purpose of this newly created award, named for David Schramm, is to recognize and stimulate distinguished writing on high energy astrophysics, in order to improve the general public's understanding in and appreciation of this exciting field of research. The award is presented every 18 months, by the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society, at its division meeting.

2000 : Robert Zimmerman, "There She Blows" (The Sciences, January/February 2000, Volume 40, Number 1, Page 25) and Kathy Sawyer, "Flash" (The Washington Post, 29 March 1999, Page A9).

Historical Astronomy Division

The Leroy E.Dogget Prize for Historical Astronomy

This Prize is to be granted biennially, to an individual who has significantly influenced the field of the history of astronomy, either by a recent publication or by a career-long effort.

2002 : Donald Osterbrock

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Solar Physics Division

The Solar Physics Division (SPD) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) announces the annual competition for two Popular Writing Awards to be awarded to authors of popular or semi-popular articles on the Sun or its effects on the Earth's environment. The purpose of these awards is to encourage scientists, science writers, and journalists to write about the Sun and thereby educate the public about results from contemporary solar research.
Awards will be made in two categories, one for scientists (including both professionals and students) and another for science writers and journalists. One award will be offered in each category. Any living scientist, science writer or journalist is eligible to receive the award without consideration of race, sex, or nationality (SPD or AAS membership not required).

Awards will be made for previously published articles which, in the judgement of the selection committee, best communicate the results from contemporary scientific studies of the Sun and heliosphere. The articles will be judged based on the following criteria: relevance of the article to solar astronomy or solar physics, or space physics directly associated with the Sun; educational value; accuracy in describing the scientific issues involved; clarity of presentation; and number of readers who would likely have seen the article. The article must be in English, and must have been published in a North American newspaper, magazine, or popular science journal in the year 2001. Books, book chapters, and electronic publications are not eligible.

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George Ellery Hale Prize

2002 : E.R. Priest

Karen Harvey Prize

To recognize and encourage new talent in solar physics, and to recognize the contributions of Karen Harvey to the study of the Sun"

Popular Writing Awards

2001:
- Curtis B. Suplee, Sun Studies May Shed Light on Global Warming , The Washinton Post, October 9, 2000
- Paul M. Bellan (Caltech), Simulating Solar Prominences in the Laboratory , American Scientist, March, 2000