G. Bruce Blair Medal

From AstronomyOutreach network

Revision as of 04:49, 30 May 2011

The G. Bruce Blair Medal is the highest honor which the Western Amateur Astronomers (WAA) can bestow upon an individual. Named in honor of Dr. G. Bruce Blair, one of the founders of WAA, it is the "Nobel Prize" of amateur astronomy and is awarded to a living professional or amateur astronomer who has made an important contribution to amateur astronomy.

Candidates are voted on by secret ballot eliminating the lowest candidates until one candidate and an alternate candidate are selected at the Winter Board Meeting of the Western Amateur Astronomers. All nominees are held in confidence until this award is accepted.

Award Recipients

• 1954 - Mr. Albert G. Ingalls - ATM pioneer and author of ATM 1, 2 and 3.
• 1955 - Prof. Walter H. Haas - Founder of ALPO, Co-founded WAA.
• 1956 - Dr. Otto Struve - Leading 20th Century astronomy popularizer.
• 1957 - Dr. Margaret Mayall - Director AAVSO 1949-1973.
• 1958 - Dr. Dinsmore Alter - Director Griffith Obs. & Co-founder of WAA Board.
• 1959 - Dr. Earle G. Linsley - Director Chabot Obs. 1923-1947 & Co-founder of EAS and WAA.
• 1960 - Mr. David Barcroft - ALPO secretary 1947-1974.
• 1961 - Mr. Carl Wells - WAA founder and well known ATM.
• 1962 - Arthur & Natalie Leonard - Active participants of Moonwatch & WAA.
• 1963 - Mr. Thomas Cragg - Solar, planetary, and variable star observer.
• 1964 - Mr. Walter Scott Houston - Author of "Deep Sky Wonders."
• 1965 - Dr. Clyde Tombaugh - Discoverer of the Planet Pluto.
• 1966 - Dr. Clarence P. Custer - Active in the WAA and famous astrophotographer.
• 1967 - Dr. Leslie C. Peltier - Famous comet and variable star observer.
• 1968 - Dr. David Dunham - Long-time coordinator of grazing occultation observations.
• 1969 - Mr. Thomas R. Cave - Telescope Manufacturer and Mars observer.
• 1970 - Mr. Charles F. Capen - Expert observer, especially of Mars.
• 1971 - Mr. George A. Carroll - West coast builder of large telescopes.
• 1972 - Mr. Clinton Ford - Long-time Secretary of the AAVSO.
• 1973 - Mr. Raymond Coutchie - Astronomical artist, astrophotographer, and author.
• 1974 - Mr. John Dobson - Popularized the "Dobsonian" telescope design.
• 1975 - Mr. Clifford W. Holmes - Founded the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference (RTMC Astronomy Expo).
• 1976 - Mr. Patrick Moore - Famous astronomical popularizer and author.
• 1977 - Mr. Frank Miller - Very active in AANC and WAA organizations.
• 1978 - Mr. Jackson Carle - Well known Central Valley ATM.
• 1979 - Mr. Kingsley W. Wightman - Long-time teacher of Astronomy at Chabot Observatory.
• 1980 - Mr. Paul Zurakowski - Well known ATM; Director of Chabot ATM workshop.
• 1981 - Mr. Ashley Thomas McDermott - Professor and astronomy popularizer in southern California.
• 1982 - Mr. Douglas Berger - Founder of Astronomy Day.
• 1983 - Mr. John Sanford - Astrophotographer, teacher and author.
• 1984 Mr. Chesley Bonestall Famous astronomical artist.
• 1985 Miss Betty Neall WAA secretary in 50s. Astronomical organizer in northern Calif.
• 1986 Mr. Ben Mayer Famous west coast astrophotographer.
• 1987 Mr. Jack Borde Long time ATM, and a participant in WAA, MDAS and Moonwatch.
• 1988 Mr. Stephen J. Edberg Famous international amateur astronomer.
• 1989 Dr. Harold F. Weaver ASP patron and long-time supporter of amateur astronomy.
• 1990 Mr. David H. Levy Teacher of young people, author and comet discoverer.
• 1991 Dr. John Westfall ALPO director & coordinator of Prof.-Amateur research projects.
• 1992 Mr. Kevin Medlock Builder of large amateur telescopes.
• 1993 Mr. Tom Johnson Founder of Celestron, popularizer of the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
• 1994 (none) (none)
• 1995 Mr. Don Machholz Observer & popularizer of comets.
• 1996 Dr. Ed Krupp Director of Griffith Observatory and book author.
• 1997 Mr. Robert Stevens Educator, Secretary and Treasurer to RTMC.
• 1998 Mr. Richard Berry Promoter of CCD astrometry, author of CCD Cookbook.
• 1999 Mrs. Denni Frerichs Medlock Past Secretary of WAA; Co-coordinator of Group 70.
• 2000 Dr. Joel W. Goodman, PH.D. Bay area amateur, speaker, Docent MDOA, ALPO Saturn Recorder.
• 2001 Monsignor Ron Royer Astrophotographer, early developer of tri-color photo process.
• 2002 Dr. Mike D. Reynolds Director of Chabot Space Science Center. Active amateur and supporter.
• 2003 Mr. F. Jack Eastman Well known ATM, member of LAAS, DAS, advisor at Chamberlin Obsy.
• 2004 Mrs. Jane Houston Jones Past Pres. of AANC, writer, Cassini Senior Outreach Spec.at JPL
• 2005 Dr. David L. Crawford Teacher, speaker, co-founder of IDA, promoter of sensible night lighting.
• 2006 John Christopher "Chris" Butler Artist, speaker. director of program exhibits Griffith Observatory.
• 2007 Mr. Carter Roberts Bay area amateur, CSSC and RTMC board member, Long time Pres. EAS.
• 2008 Ms. Marni Berendsen Developer/mgr. NASA/ASP Night Sky Network.Coordinator, Project ASTRO, author.
• 2009 Mr. Mike Simmons Past Pres of LAAS. Founded MWOA and AWOB. 100hrsofAstronomy Co-Chair.
• 2010 Mr. Robert K. Buchheim Observer, Astrophotographer, Outreach Enthusiast and Author "The Sky Is Your Laboratory", a manual for the research-oriented amateur astronomer
• 2011 Mr. Scott W. Roberts Astronomy Outreach

External Links

• Website of the Western Amateur Astronomers
• Recipients of the G. Bruce Blair Medal on the WAA Website