NOAO Astronomer Sidney Wolff Awarded Education Prize by American Astronomical Society

25 January 2006

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has awarded its 2006 Education Prize to Dr. Sidney Wolff, an astronomer and former director of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Arizona.

The AAS Education Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to the education of the public, students and/or the next generation of professional astronomers. The citation for Dr. Wolff states:

“For her extraordinary commitment to science education throughout her career, beginning with authoring an introductory textbook, and culminating in the first professional, refereed, astronomy education journal, the “Astronomy Education Review,” which has become a highly-valued and influential communication channel for astronomy educators.

“For her dedication, attention and outstanding contributions to astronomy education while in leadership positions at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the American Astronomical Society, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.”

“For her efforts in highlighting and advancing astronomy education policy at the local, national and international levels, creating and promoting new opportunities for educators, students and the public.”

Wolff was the director of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) from 1987 to 2000, and she is currently a staff astronomer there. During her time as director, Wolff was responsible for the development of world-class facilities such as the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope on Kitt Peak and the SOAR 4.1-meter telescope in Chile, both with university partners. She also led a major effort to develop the scientific, technical, and management proposal for the 8-meter Gemini telescopes, serving as the first director of the Gemini project.

Wolff has been involved in education throughout her career, including the founding in 2002 and her subsequent editorship of the Astronomy Education Review, the first peer-reviewed journal for the emerging field of astronomy education and outreach. The journal is hosted by NOAO at: http://aer.noao.edu/

“This is a well-deserved honor for Sidney, who has played central roles in both operating an effective national observatory open to all astronomers and in helping train the next generation of scientists,” said NOAO Director Jeremy Mould. “With her help, astronomy education has become a valued and recognized career path in our field.”

The American Astronomical Society, established 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The basic objective of the AAS is to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related branches of science. The membership (~6,500) also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy.

Wolff is one of seven prize winners announced today by the AAS. The President of the American Astronomical Society, Prof. Robert P. Kirshner, Clowes Professor of Science at Harvard University, stated, “It’s a pleasure to congratulate these distinguished astronomers on their well deserved selection for the six awards. They are representative of the finest of our profession.” Other recipients include:

• Dr. J. Roger Angel, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation for 2006;
• Dr. John E. Carlstrom, University of Chicago, Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize for 2006;
• Dr. Bryan M. Gaensler, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy for 2006;
• Dr. Lisa J. Kewley, University of Hawaii, Annie Jump Cannon Award in Astronomy for 2006;
• Dr. Bodan Paczynski, Princeton University Observatory, Henry Norris Russell Lectureship for 2006;
• Dr. Re’em Sari, California Institute of Technology, Helen B. Warner Prize for Astronomy for 2006.

More information

The National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) consists of Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, AZ; Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory near La Serena, Chile; and, the NOAO Gemini Science Center, the route for U.S. astronomers to observe with the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii and the Gemini South telescope in Chile. NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Inc. (AURA), under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Contacts

Douglas Isbell
Office of Public Affairs and Educational OutreachNational Optical Astronomy Observatory
Tel: 520/318-8230
Email: disbell@noao.edu

Dr. Steve Maran
Press Officer
Tel: (202) 328-2010 x116
Email: pressofc@aas.org