Honors by the International Astronomical Union
Compiled by the departmental Awards Committee
Prof. M. F. A'Hearn and Prof. V. Trimble
The IAU does not give prizes. However, the IAU does honor astronomers in
various ways. Astronomers may have an asteroid named after them or certain
classes of surface features on bodies in the solar system (including, e.g.,
craters on the moon). The IAU's other prestigious honor is to give an
invited discourse at the IAU General Assembly (3 invited discourses, once
every three years). Beginning in 2000, the IAU also advises the Gruber
Foundation on selection of candidates for the
Gruber Foundation Prize.
Named Asteroids
These names must be proposed by a discoverer of an asteroid, although
people active in the community often propose names to the discoverers.
Details are provided on the web page of the
IAU Small Bodies Names
Committee.
Named Surface Features
The IAU Working Group on Planetary Nomenclature suggests names. Details of the
rules and a list of members of the Working Group is available at
the website of the
Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
Invited Discourses
Contact a member of the IAU Executive Committee or a Divisional President
or the General Secretary to suggest someone to give an invited discourse.
Created: 00/07/01, mfa