Summer vacation may be all you're thinking about this week, but an important deadline is just four days away! The nomination period for numerous AAS and other awards closes June 30. Take a moment from summer to nominate some worthy astronomers (perhaps even you) for these awards. All awards posts were originally posted on AAS.org.
The AAS prizes include three that are designed to honor astronomers in the early phases of their careers: the Annie Jump Cannon Award, the Helen B. Warner Prize, and the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize. These are distinct prizes with different selection criteria and rules. All are awarded annually. Read about each prize and nominate at https://aas.org/posts/news/2026/04/early-career-prizes-not-all-same.
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| Annie Jump Cannon, 1922. Image: Library of Congress |
The Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical Instrumentation is awarded to an individual for the design, invention, or significant improvement of instrumentation (not software) leading to advances in astronomy. There are no restrictions on a candidate's country of residence or citizenship. Nominate at https://aas.org/grants-and-prizes/joseph-weber-award-astronomical-instrumentation.
The Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize recognizes an outstanding research contribution to astronomy or astrophysics of an exceptionally innovative or highly creative character. The prize is normally awarded every two years. There are no restrictions on a candidate’s citizenship or country of residence. Nor is there a limitation on a candidate’s career stage or field of research within the astronomical sciences. Nominate at https://aas.org/posts/news/2026/04/nominate-someone-perhaps-yourself-tinsley-prize.
Longtime AAS member Carlson R. Chambliss, now retired from a lengthy career at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, endowed several new AAS prizes in 2006. Among them are the Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award and the Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award. Dr. Chambliss is also a longtime member of the American Numismatic Association with a keen interest in coins and medals, so these prizes come with gleaming medals that he designed himself: a gold one for the writing award and a silver one for the amateur award. Nominate an amateur astronomer or a textbook writer at https://aas.org/posts/news/2026/04/aas-prizes-textbook-authors-amateur-astronomers.
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| AAS.org |
Take a moment this weekend to nominate someone for one or two or all of these awards. Remember, the deadline to nominate is Tuesday, June 30!
