The $2,500 prize rewards Celestial North, Inc.’s sustained efforts to involve the Puget Sound community in the science and hobby of astronomy. Astronomy magazine editors chose Celestial North, Inc. from 32 clubs throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico, that submitted entries.
Celestial North, Inc.’s award-winning outreach includes:
Celestial North, Inc. committed to putting the $2,500 toward enhancing and promoting their radio show and public presentations. The club believes the radio program, along with its extensive archive, can function as a dynamic classroom tool to help bring astronomy to students.
Runners-up for the 2006 award are Escambia Amateur Astronomers’ Association in Pensacola, Florida, and the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers of Golden Pond, Kentucky.
Escambia Amateur Astronomers’ Association (EAAA) brings astronomy to its community in a variety of ways. The club shares its interest in astronomy through events with scout troops, local schools, and a nearby Air Force base. In addition to these presentations, the EAAA also maintains an e-mail network to notify club members and local media of breaking space news.
The West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers conduct sidewalk programs with local schools, libraries, scout troops, and parks. These events include weekly summer sessions at the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Boys and Girls Ranch — a camp for underprivileged children.
“Congratulations, and thank you to all the clubs that entered,” Astronomy Editor Dave Eicher said. “Your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment sustain our beloved hobby. Indeed, today’s public programs inspire tomorrow’s scientists, astronomers, and astronauts.”
To learn more about all the entrants in this year’s Out-of-this-world Award please visit their web sites, listed below.
San Diego, CA
www.sdaa.org/
University of Denver’s Chamberlin Observatory
Denver, CO
www.du.edu/~rstencel/Chamberlin/
Southwest Florida Astronomical Society
Cape Coral, FL
www.theeyepiece.org/
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
Fort Myers, FL
www.calusanature.com/
Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association
Pensacola, FL
www.eaaa.net/eaaasection.htm
Astro Day Institute
Hilo, HI
www.astroday.net/
Sangamon Astronomical Society
Springfield, IL
www.sas-sky.org/main.html
West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers
Golden Pond, KY
wkaa.net
North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club
Groveland, MA
www.nsaac.org/
Astronomical Society of Greenbelt
Greenbelt, MD
www.greenbeltastro.org/index.shtml
Tri-State Astronomers
Hagerstown, MD
www.tristateastronomers.org/
Westminster Astronomical Society
Sykesville, MD
www.westminsterastro.org/
University of Michigan Student Astronomical Society
Ann Arbor, MI
www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/sas/
Ford Amateur Astronomy Club
Dearborn, MI
www.boonhill.net/faac/
Eisenhower Astronomy Club
Chaska, MN
www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/district/CommED/fc-observ.html
Rochester Astronomy Club
Rochester, MN
www.rochesterskies.org/index.html
St. Louis Astronomical Society
St. Louis, MO
www.slasonline.org
Alliance for Astronomy, Inc.
Wentzville, MO
st-charles-astro.org
National Public Observatory
Radium Springs, NM
astro-npo.org
Rensselaer (RPI) Hirsch Observatory
Troy, NY
www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/observatory/home.htm
Miami Valley Astronomical Society
Bellbrook, OH
www.mvas.org
Cincinnati Observatory Center
Cincinnati, OH
www.cincinnatiobservatory.org
Norman North High School Astronomy Club
Norman, OK
www.norman.k12.ok.us/710/organizations/index.htm
Barinas Astronomy Group
Yauco, Puerto Rico
Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society
Brentwood, TN
www.bsasnashville.com
Gallatin High School
Gallatin, TN
ghs.sumnerschools.org/astronomy.htm
Brownsville Alliance for Science Education
Brownsville, TX
www.phys.utb.edu/base
Richmond Astronomical Society
Richmond, VA
www.richastro.org
Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society
Roanoke, VA
www.roavas.org
Celestial North, Inc.
Freeland, WA
www.celestialnorth.org
Tacoma Astronomical Society
Lakewood, WA
www.tas-online.org
Mukwonago area schools
Mukwonago, WI
www.mukwonago.k12.wi.us
