Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
The Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society is the highest awarded by the Royal Astronomical Society Science Award.
The medal was first awarded in 1824. After often multiple awards in the first few years it was awarded in 1833 only once per year. 1846 resulted from the discovery of Neptune is a problem, because in many cases both John Couch Adams and Urbain Le Verrier were considered worthy of an award. The resulting controversy was finally resolved in 1848 by the award of " recognition medals" at twelve winners, among whom Adams and Le Verrier were. As of 1849, continued with at most one price per year. Adams and Le Verrier received their gold medals in 1866 and finally 1868.
Since 1964, usually two gold medals will be awarded, one ( 'A') for astronomy, cosmology, astrophysics, Kosmophysik and related areas, the other ( ' G') for geophysics, solar physics, solar - terrestrial relations and planetary research.
This image of the coin shows the coat of arms of the society an image of the 40-foot reflecting telescope of William Herschel and its Latin motto QUICQUID NITET NOTANDUM ( something like " Whatever seems, may be recorded ").
Award winners
Silver Medals
On two occasions, silver medals were awarded. However, this was discontinued.
Recognition Medals of 1848
- George Biddell Airy
- John Couch Adams
- Friedrich Wilhelm August Argelander
- George Bishop
- Lt- Col. George Everest
- Sir John Herschel
- Peter Andreas Hansen
- Karl Ludwig Hencke
- John Russell Hind
- Urbain Le Verrier
- Sir John William Lubbock