ASTRONOMY DAY AWARD WINNERS
For 1980 and 1981, Edmond Scientific was the sponsor of the awards
1980
Winner
- Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association, Grand Rapids MI
1981
Winner
- The Sir Isaac Newton Astronomical Society, Kane PA
Between 1982 and 1988 the awards were discontinued. In 1989, the Astronomical League re-instituted the awards with Sky & Telescope as sponsor
1989
Winner
- Northwest Suburban Astronomers, Barrington IL
Honorable Mention:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Bay’s Mountain Amateur Astronomers, Kingsport TN
- The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club, Massillon OH
- American Samoa Astronomical Society, Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Penn State Astronomy Club, State College PA
1990
Winner
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Toronto Centre, Toronto CANADA
Honorable Mention:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Mountain Skies Astronomical Society, Lake Arrowhead CA
- Northwest Suburban Astronomers
- The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club
- Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society
1991
Winner
- Buffalo State Astronomical Society, Buffalo NY
Honorable Mention:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Mountain Skies Astronomical Society, Lake Arrowhead CA
1992
Winner
- Charles Hayden Planetarium, Boston MA
Honorable Mention:
- Spokane Astronomical Society
- United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey/amateur Astronomers, Inc
1993
Winner
- Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Santa Rosa CA
Honorable Mention:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Santa Rosa CA
- Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill NC
- Saguaro Astronomy Club, Phoenix AZ
1994
Winner
- Astronomy in Montclair, Montclair NJ
Honorable Mention:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, Rocklin CA
- Castro Valley, CA
- Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Santa Rosa CA
- The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Toronto Centre
- Greenbelt Astronomy Club, MD
- McLeannan County Astronomy Club, Lorenz TX
1995
Winner
- The Local Group, Clarita Valley CA
Honorable Mention:
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland OR
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
- Don Harrington Discovery Center/Amarillo Astronomy Club
- Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society, Kutztown PA
- Zavala Magnet School, Odessa TX
- Northern Cross Science Foundation, Port Washington WI
- Ancient City Astronomy Club, Palm Coast FL
1996
Winner
- Ventura County Astronomical Society, Simi Valley CA
Honorable Mention:
- Ancient City Astronomy Club, Palm Coast FL
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- The Louisville Astronomical Society
- The Newark Museum
- West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers
- Don Harrington Discovery Center/Amarillo Astronomy Club
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
1997
Winner
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association, Savannah GA
Honorable Mention:
- Chester County Astronomical Society
- Neville Public Museum Astronomy Society
- Ancient City Astronomy Club, Palm Coast FL
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland OR
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Sirius Astronomy Society, ALGERIA
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
- Ventura County Astronomical Society, Semi Valley CA
- Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, Westwego LA
- EMDSO, Washington Missouri
1998
Winner
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
Honorable Mention:
- Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society
- Ancient City Astronomy Club
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Silver Lake Regional High School
- Northwest Wisconsin Stargazers
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Central Valley Astronomers
1999
Winner:
- Puerto Rico Astronomy Society, San Juan, PR
Honorable Mention:
- Chester County Astronomical Society
- Neville Public Museum Astronomy Society
- Ancient City Astronomy Club
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Albuquerque Astronomical Society
- Silver Lake Regional High School
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- Northeast Wisconsin Stargazers
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
2000
Winner:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
Honorable Mention:
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society
- Escambia Amateur Astronomers’ Association
- Northeast Wisconsin Stargazers
In 2001 the award structure was changed to include 3 new award categories (in addition to the winning organization). There were: Best New Idea, Best for Size and Quality Events Year After Year.
2001
Winner:
- Sudekum Planetarium at the Cumberland Science Museum
Best New Idea:
- Alachua Astronomy Club (Solar System hay ride, Planet putt-putt)
Most for its Size:
- Stonebelt Stargazers
- Junior Engineering Technical Society of Freeport High School
Quality Events Year After Year:
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
Honorable Mention:
- Northeast Wisconsin Stargazes
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
2002
Winner
- Hilo Astronomy Club
Best New Idea
- Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (Lunar phase on the day you were born)
- Buhl Planetarium & Observatory (collaboration with Pittsburgh Symphony)
Most for its Size
- Sangamon Astronomical Society
- Statesboro Astronomy Club
Quality Events Year after Year
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
Honorable Mention
- Sudekum Planetarium
- Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observers Group
- Museum Astronomical Resource Society
2003
Winner
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
Best New Idea
- Durham Region Astronomical Association (letting the public pose for pictures beside large telescope)
- Cassiopeia Saarlouis e.V. (Hosting at a hotel with live Jazz and a buffet to accompany observing)
- Raleigh Astronomy Club & North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Kids activity-calculating age on other planets)
- Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observers Group (Souvenir print out of live CCD sky observing)
Most for its Size
- AstroDay Institute
Quality Events Year after Year
- Sudekum Planetarium
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
Honorable Mention
- Prince Sultan University
- Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island Children’s Museum, Long Island Museum of Science and Technology, Long Island Space Society, Amateur Observers of NY, Woodland Middle School, Weber Middle School
2004
Winner
- Georgia Southern Planetarium/Statesboro Astronomy Club
Best New Idea
- Iranian Astronomy Society-Amateur Branch/Farzanegan High School (people centered ecliptic & ages on other planets)
- The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science (simultaneous star parties located within 6 miles of any city resident)
- Adventure Science Center/Sudekum Planetarium (involving Sister City)
Most for its Size
- Flint River Astronomy Club
Quality Events Year after Year
- AstroDay Institute
Honorable Mention
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit
- The Local Group of Santa Clarita Valley
- Prescott Astronomy Club
- The Harmony Institute
- Cassiopeia Saarlouis e.V.
- Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
- York College of Pennsylvania
2005
Winner
- Long Island Museum of Science & Technology (LIMSAT): Idea and Prototype Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center: Elaboration and Execution Cradle of Aviation Museum: Host and 2005 Team Leader (and best new idea-involving firefighters-space spin offs)
Best New Idea
- Cradle of Aviation Museum, host; Long Island Museum of Science & Technology, idea & Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center, execution (involving firefighters-space spin offs)
- AstroDay Institute (AstroDay Excellence in Teaching Award)
Most for its Size
- Cumberland Astronomical Society
- Tri County Astronomers (Junior Engineering Technical Society of Freeport High School)
Honorable Mention
- Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
- The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science
- Starlight Observers League
- Salt Lake Astronomical Society
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Niagara Centre
- Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
- The Clay Center for Science and Technology
2006
Winner
- The Iranian Astronomical Society
Best New Idea
- AstroDay Institute (using IR camera for mementos and spectra education)
Best for its Size
- Norman North High School Astronomy Club
Honorable Mention
- The Irish Astronomical Society
- The Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
- Salt Lake Astronomical Society/Clark Planetarium/University of Utah/Harmons
- Black Hawk Astronomy Club
- Planetarium Science Center (Alexandria, EGYPT)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
- Tri-City Astronomy Club
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
- Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society
2007
Winner
- AstroDay Institute
Best New Idea
- Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies
Best for Size
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
Quality Events Year After Year
- Astronomical Society of Iran, Amateur Committee
Honorable Mention
- Hamilton Amateur Astronomers
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
- Norman North Astronomy Classes & Club
- Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers
- Palmquist Road Observatory
- The Amateur Astronomers Association of Vadodara
- Tri-County Astronomers
- Warren Rupp Observatory and Astronomy for Youth
2008
Astronomy Day Award (two winners):
- “The Houston collaborative”
- Astronomical Society of South East Texas (Beaumont, TX)
- Fort Bend Astronomy Club (Sugarland, TX)
- George Observatory (Brazos Bend State Park, TX)
- Houston Astronomical Society (Houston, TX)
- Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (Clear Lake, TX)
- North Houston Astronomy Club (Kingwood, TX)
- Local Group Astronomy Club of the Santa Clarita Valley
In 2009 the award categories were changed. The main award was divided up into 3 separate awards based on the population of the area the events were held in. The ‘Most for Size” category was discontinued. The cosponsors of the award were Sky & Telescope, the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
2009
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- AstroDay Institute (large)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Clay Center for Science and Technology (small)
Best New Idea:
- Des Moines Astronomical Society (student art contest)
Honorable Mention:
- Lemon Bay High School Astronomy Club
- Pacific Science Center
- Texas Astronomical Society
2010
Winner
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
2011
Winner: Best Event in Population Category
- Lakhota Nature Club, Gujarat, INDIA (large)
- Popular Astronomy Club (medium)
Best New Idea
- Popular Astronomy Club
Quality Events Year After Year
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
2012
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- South Shore Astronomical Society and Scituate Public Library (large)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Northwest Suburban Astronomers (small)
Quality Events Year After Year
- Popular Astronomy Club
2013
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- Clay Center for Science & Technology (large)
- Popular Astronomy Club – Quad Cities (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (small)
Best New Idea
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (Involving PBS and hosting Curious George)
Quality Events Year After Year
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
2014
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (small)
Quality Events Year After Year
- Popular Astronomy Club – Quad Cities
2015
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- Zaferanieh Educational Observatory, Iran (large)
- Popular Astronomy Club –Quad Cities (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (small)
Quality Events Year After Year
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
Honorable Mention
- Nawanagar Society, India
2016
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (large)
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association (medium)
- Popular Astronomy club (small)
Quality Events Year After Year
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
Best New Idea
- Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (Starry Safari-matching constellations to confiscated illegal pets)
2017
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- Dhiren Meshvaniya, INDIA (large)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (small)
Best New Idea
- Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (Involving 5th Grade Students as Student Experts)
2018
Winner: Best Event in Population Category:
- Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (small)
Best New Idea
- Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society (cellphone camera adaptor on telescopes)