The purpose of the Solar Physics Division (SPD) is the advancement of the study of the Sun and the coordination of such research with other branches of science. The SPD holds annual scientific meetings, awards several different prizes, and supports students in various ways.

NEW

AAS Solar Physics Division Announces 2020 Hale and Harvey Prizes

The Solar Physics Division (SPD) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) is proud to announce the 2020 winners of its two most prestigious scientific prizes. Dr. Kazunari Shibata of Kyoto University, Japan, is awarded the George Ellery Hale Prize for his outstanding work on the properties and behavior of magnetized solar and astrophysical plasmas. Dr. Hui Tian of Peking University, China, is awarded the Karen Harvey Prize for his ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet observations of the Sun and what they reveal about the dynamics of the solar atmosphere.

LOGO CONTEST!!

The Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society was born in 1970, making the year 2020 the 50th anniversary of the division. The SPD Committee is offering a $100 prize for the best 50th-year SPD logo, which will be used in promoting the 2020 SPD meeting. The contest is open to anyone–scientists, students, spouses, family, and friends. Submitted designs must be provided royalty-free, one submission per person. See Logo Contest for more details.

The 2020 Thomas Metcalf Lecturer Program is now accepting applications. Organizers of meetings relevant to solar physics taking place before 1 April 2021 are encouraged to submit an application to Maria Kazachenko. Applications should be no more than three pages, and must be received by 20 March 2020. More information is available on the Thomas Metcalf Lecturer Program page.

The 51st meeting of the AAS Solar Physics Division (SPD) will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 10-14 August 2020, at the University of Minnesota.

The Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society solicits nominations for the 2020 Popular Media Award (for popular articles published in 2019), which is awarded to authors of popular articles about the Sun or the effects of the Sun on the Earth's environment. One award is given for an article written by a scientist; another award is given for an article written by a journalist. Nominations are due by April 6, 2020.

The notes from the 2019 St Louis business meeting have also been uploaded. They too are accessible from the Business and Bylaws page.

Reports from the 2019 Metcalf travel award recipients have been uploaded.