National Award Winners

FELLOW OF THE RASC (FRASC)

The Fellow of the RASC (FRASC) was created to acknowledge the work of long-serving members. It recognizes those outstanding members who have made extraordinary contributions to the Society over the long term, much of which service has been rendered at the national level.

• 2014        James Hesser
• 2016        Alan Batten
• 2022        Chris Gainor

CHANT MEDAL

The Chant Medal, established in 1940, is awarded based on a significant body of work of lasting value to the astronomical community. It is named after Professor C. A. Chant who was a noted astronomer at the University of Toronto and helped to found the David Dunlap Observatory.

• 1941        H. Boyd Bryden
• 1988        Chris Spratt
• 1989        Jack Newton
• 2006        Ed Majden

KEN CHILTON PRIZE

Established in 1977 in memory of Ken Chilton, this prize was awarded for a specific piece of astronomical work carried out or published recently.

• 1979        Jack Newton
• 1983        Chris Spratt
• 1988        Philip Teece
• 2008        Jennifer Tigner
• 2008        Jack Newton

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Established in 2008, this award is to be given at the President’s discretion, usually once a year, to a member who has made an important contribution to the Society.

• 2010        Sid Sidhu

SERVICE AWARD

The Service Award, established in 1959, is awarded to members of the RASC who have made significant contributions at either the National and/or Centre levels.

• 1962        Joseph A. Pearce
• 1968        George Ball
• 1983        Chris Aikman
• 1988        Alan Batten
• 2014        James Hesser
• 2019        Lauri Roche
• 2021        Diane Bell (posthumous)

SIMON NEWCOMB AWARD

This award was instituted in 1978 to recognize literary ability.

• 2008        Gary Seronik