Royal Astronomical Society honours leading astronomers

As the UK sponsor of astronomy, STFC congratulates all the winners of the Royal Astronomical Society’s prestigious medals and awards for 2012.

The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii
(Credit: UKIRT/JAC)

The following recipients are supported by STFC:

• Professor Andy Fabian, University of Cambridge (link opens in a new window)
  Gold Medal for astronomy
  
  
• Professor John Brown, University of Glasgow (link opens in a new window)
  Gold Medal for geophysics
  
  
• Dr Mike Irwin, University of Cambridge (link opens in a new window)
  Herschel Medal for investigations of outstanding merit in observational astrophysics
  
  
• Professor Andrew Fazakerley, Mullard Space Science Laboratory (link opens in a new window)
  Chapman Medal for investigations of outstanding merit in solar-terrestrial physics
  
  
• United Kingdom Infrared Telescope Sky Survey (link opens in a new window)(UKIDSS)
  RAS Group Award
  
  
• Professor Paul Murdin
  RAS Service Award
  Professor Murdin was Head of Operations at STFC’s Isaac Newton Group of telescopes on La Palma (1981-87), became Director of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (1991-93) and then took a leading role in the PPARC (now STFC) Astronomy programme
  
  
• Dr Hiranya Peiris, University College London (link opens in a new window)
  Fowler Award for noteworthy contribution to astronomy at an early stage of her research career
  
  
• Dr Tom Kitching, University of Edinburgh (link opens in a new window)
  Winton Capital Award for a postdoctoral researcher, who completed their PhD no more than 5 years previously and whose career has shown the most promising development
  
  
• Dr Becky Parker, Simon Langton Grammar School (link opens in a new window)
  Patrick Moore Medal for outstanding work as a teacher of astronomy

The full press release containing citations for each of the recipients is available on the RAS website (link opens in a new window).

Further information

Media contact

• Dr Robert Massey
  Royal Astronomical Society
  Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582 x214
  Mob: +44 (0)794 124 8035
  

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