Astronomische Gesellschaft

The Astronomical Society ( AG) in Hamburg is the first astronomical association in the world and one of the oldest scientific associations in Europe. In 1863 it was registered in the register of associations.

History

As a precursor of the Astronomical Society of the United Astronomical Society was founded in 1800, founded by two leading German astronomers, the Gotha Observatories director Franz Xaver von Zach ( 1754-1832 ), on the back is also the first scientific journal called Monthly correspondence, and Hieronymus Schröter ( 1745 -1816 ), who in a private observatory a significant lunar and planetary astronomy operation in Lilienthal. The Astronomical Society organized already in 1800 the second international congress of Astronomy and was godfather of the " Himmelspolizey " of 24 European observatories, which should organize the search for the suspected asteroids between Mars and Jupiter's orbit.

In 1900 initiated the A. G. the main star catalog this time, the AGK. He was continued in 1930 as AGK2 with newer data astrometry and precise account of the specific movements and is as AGK3 to this day an important data base for astronomy, celestial mechanics and orbit determination.

Activity

The A. G. There are currently about 800 members - mainly in German-speaking countries. They held at least once a year a scientific meeting, which is usually associated with the General Assembly, and issues an annual report out.

The Astronomical Society awards the Karl Schwarzschild Medal, the Ludwig Biermann Award, the Bruno H. Bürgel Prize, Hans- Ludwig Neumann Prize and the Hanno - and - Ruth - Roelin price. It also encourages education for example by a special prize at the Young Researchers competition.