Prizes

SPD Prizes and Awards

The SPD sponsors the following prizes and awards:

• • The George Ellery Hale Prize, awarded to a scientist for outstanding contributions to the field of solar astronomy.

• • The Irene González Hernández Prize, awarded to a scientist for a significant contribution to the study of the Sun in a person’s mid-career.

• • The Karen Harvey Prize, awarded in recognition for a significant contribution to the study of the Sun early in a person’s professional career.

• • Three Popular Media Awards to authors of popular or semi-popular articles on the Sun or the effects of the Sun on the Earth’s environment. One award is made to scientists, another is made to science writers and journalists and a new third award is made to students.

• • The Tom Metcalf Lecturer Program: In consultation with Tom Metcalf’s family, the Solar Physics Division (SPD) has established the Thomas Metcalf SPD Travel Fund to help support newer members’ expenses for attending meetings relevant to solar physics. AAS members can donate here (login required).

• • SPD Studentship Awards are given annually to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in solar physics. More details are given on the SPD Students page.

• • SPD Certificates of Appreciation will be given for exceptional contributions in a managerial or other non-technical role that significantly advance the discipline of solar physics. Nominations of potential recipients can be submitted to the SPD Committee at any time and should include a written statement of why the individual is deserving of special recognition. The Committee will decide whether a certificate is merited. Typically, no more than one certificate will be awarded in any given year. The certificate will be presented at the next SPD business (members) meeting, and the nomination letter will be published in SolarNews.

The SPD also sponsors a series of Parker Lectures (named after Professor Eugene Parker of the University of Chicago) at SPD Meetings that highlight active fields of solar research.

Nominations for the Hale, González Hernández and Harvey Prizes must be submitted through the AAS nominations portal beginning October 1 annually. The deadline for submission of nominations is November 15. Please read the following instructions carefully. Questions regarding nominations should be addressed to Yuhong Fan ([email protected]). Technical issues about the web submissions should be addressed to Stacey Carson ([email protected]). When considering nominees for Solar Physics Division prizes, all aspects of their career and impact will be considered, including scientific impact, community service, education and public outreach, etc.  Nominators and recommenders are encouraged to express the full breadth of each nominee’s career.

 

Hale Prize

The SPD awards this honorary prize, in memory of George Ellery Hale, to a scientist for outstanding contributions over an extended period of time to the field of solar astronomy. In considering candidates, the Prize Committee is guided by the impact of the candidates’ research in solar physics, general astronomy, geophysics, mathematics, and physics. Any living scientist is eligible to receive the award without consideration of race, sex, nationality, or membership in SPD.

The nomination should summarize key papers which form the basis for the proposal as well as a description of the scientific achievements that justify the award. The full CV including referred publication list is also required. A link to an ADS library listing the nominee’s publications is encouraged. All materials should be submitted through this portal: https://aas.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/208/home.

Nomination Checklist:

1. 1. Verify eligibility by reviewing the recipient list to confirm that your proposed candidate is eligible for the Hale Prize and has not already received it.

1. 1. The candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV).

1. 1. A bibliography of the candidate’s published articles. An ADS library is strongly preferred.

1. 1. A summary letter that captures the nominee’s major achievements with reference to the 3 most important publications.

1. 1. Three letters of support are required. Up to five letters of support are permitted. Self-nominees may not write letters of support for themselves; all letters of support must come from other people. Those submitting a nomination must provide names and current email addresses of people who have agreed to write letters of support. Each will receive further instructions from the AAS and a link for submitting their letter directly to the prize system. A given letter may add co-signers. Among other things, letters of support should explicitly address whether a nominee’s professional conduct over their career exemplifies the principles and expectations noted in the AAS Code of Ethics, the Professional and Ethical Standards for the AAS Journals, the Anti-Harassment Policy for AAS & Division Meetings & Activities, and the Guide to AAS Meeting Etiquette. Nominators are asked to begin the nomination process well before the November 15 submission deadline so that letter writers receive notification and instructions as early as possible. Those who have agreed to write letters are encouraged to prepare them in advance so they can submit them promptly through the nomination portal soon after they receive the link.

1. 1. Additional supporting materials, if any, should be submitted in Additional Comments in a single PDF file.

1. 1. Prize nominations generally remain valid for a period of three years, including the original year in which the candidate was nominated, though an updated CV and a summary letter are encouraged. For example, a person’s 2023 nomination package remains in effect for 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

González Hernández Prize

The SPD Irene González Hernández prize, established in April 2024 in memory of Irene González Hernández, is awarded to a scientist for a significant contribution to the study of the Sun in a person’s mid-career. Selection is to be based upon outstanding contributions during a person’s “mid-career” years to the field of solar physics, exclusive of work that qualified that person for any other SPD award. Nominees are eligible for the Gonzalez Hernandez prize between eleven and twenty years of cumulative professional experience since the end of the calendar year in which their terminal degree was received.  Exceptions based on family leave or career interruption can be requested and shall be considered by the prize committee.  For example, if a nominee earned a Ph.D. in February 2020, the first year they can receive the Gonzalez Hernandez award is 2032 and the final year is 2041, assuming no career interruptions. In considering candidates, the Prize Committee is to be guided by the impact of the candidates’ research, educational, or other activity in solar physics, general astronomy, geophysics, mathematics, and physics, with the emphasis on impact to the field of solar physics. Any living scientist who meets the professional experience requirement is eligible to receive the award, without regard to sex, race, or nationality.

Proposals for González Hernández Prize nominations should include a letter of nomination with supporting letters of endorsement, and full CV including a list of publications. A link to an ADS library listing the nominee’s publications is encouraged. All materials should be submitted through this portal: https://aas.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/207/home.

Nomination Checklist:

1. 1. Verify eligibility by reading the description and reviewing the recipient list to confirm that your proposed candidate is eligible for the González Hernández Prize and has not already received it. All prize requirements must be met at the time of nomination.

1. 1. The candidate’s/applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV).

1. 1. A bibliography of the candidate’s published articles, preferably as an ADS library.

1. 1. A summary letter that captures the nominee’s major achievements with reference to 3 most important publications.

1. 1. Three letters of support are required. Up to five letters of support are permitted. Self-nominees may not write letters of support for themselves; all letters of support must come from other people. Please provide the names and current email addresses of the three people who have agreed to write letters of support. Each will receive further instructions from the AAS and a link for submitting their letter directly to the prize system. A given letter may include co-signers. Among other things, letters of support should explicitly address whether a nominee’s professional conduct over their career exemplifies the principles and expectations noted in the AAS Code of Ethics, the Professional and Ethical Standards for the AAS Journals, the Anti-Harassment Policy for AAS & Division Meetings & Activities, and the Guide to AAS Meeting Etiquette. Nominators are asked to begin the nomination process well before the November 15 submission deadline so that letter writers receive notification and instructions as early as possible. Those who have agreed to write letters are encouraged to prepare them in advance so they can submit them promptly through the nomination portal soon after they receive the link.

1. 1. The month/year of candidate’s terminal degree.

1. 1. Any additional supporting materials, if any, should be submitted in Additional Comments in a single PDF file.

1. 1. Nominations for the Gonzalez Hernandez prize will remain valid for a period of three years, including the original year in which the candidate was nominated, though yearly updates to the CV and summary letter are encouraged. For example, a person’s 2023 nomination package remains in effect for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Harvey Prize

The SPD early career Karen Harvey Prize, established in May 2002 in honor of the late Karen Harvey, is awarded in recognition of a significant contribution to the study of the Sun early in a person’s professional career. Nominees are eligible for the Harvey prize if, in the year preceding the award, they have had no more than ten years of cumulative professional experience since the end of the calendar year in which their terminal degree was received. Exceptions based on family leave or career interruption can be requested and shall be considered by the prize committee.   For example, if a nominee earned a Ph.D. in February 2020, the final year they can receive the award is 2031, assuming no career interruptions. The award is open to anyone who meets the age or professional experience requirement, without regard to sex, race, nationality, or membership in the SPD.

The nomination should be endorsed by supporting letters, and a full CV including a list of publications. A link to an ADS library listing the nominee’s publications is encouraged. All materials should be submitted through this portal: https://aas.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/206/home.

Nomination Checklist:

1. 1. Verify eligibility by reading the description and reviewing the recipient list to confirm that your proposed candidate is eligible for the Harvey Prize and has not already received it. All prize requirements must be met at the time of nomination.

1. 1. The candidate’s/applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV).

1. 1. A bibliography of the candidate’s published articles, preferably as an ADS library.

1. 1. A summary letter that captures the nominee’s major achievements with reference to 3 most important publications.

1. 1. Three letters of support are required. Up to five letters of support are permitted. Self-nominees may not write letters of support for themselves; all letters of support must come from other people. Please provide the names and current email addresses of the three people who have agreed to write letters of support. Each will receive further instructions from the AAS and a link for submitting their letter directly to the prize system. A given letter may include co-signers. Among other things, letters of support should explicitly address whether a nominee’s professional conduct over their career exemplifies the principles and expectations noted in the AAS Code of Ethics, the Professional and Ethical Standards for the AAS Journals, the Anti-Harassment Policy for AAS & Division Meetings & Activities, and the Guide to AAS Meeting Etiquette. Nominators are asked to begin the nomination process well before the November 15 submission deadline so that letter writers receive notification and instructions as early as possible. Those who have agreed to write letters are encouraged to prepare them in advance so they can submit them promptly through the nomination portal soon after they receive the link.

1. 1. The month/year of candidate’s terminal degree.

1. 1. Any additional supporting materials, if any, should be submitted in Additional Comments in a single PDF file.

1. 1. Nominations for the Harvey Prize will remain valid until the candidate no longer meets the eligibility requirements, though yearly updates to the CV and summary letter are encouraged.

The Hale, González Hernández, and Harvey Prize Committee retains the privilege of considering candidates for all three prizes not proposed by above process. If a member of the Committee is nominated for one of the prizes, the nomination will be deferred for automatic consideration after the proposed individual has completed his/her term of duty on the Committee.

Hale González Hernández, and Harvey Prize Committee:

• • Yuhong Fan 2021-2025 (Chair)
•  
  • Säm Krucker 2021-2025

• • Laurel Rachmeler 2021-2025

• • Valentin M. Pillet 2024-2028

• • Kristopher Klein 2025-2029

---

Past Winners of the Hale Prize

Links below lead to the Prize citations and, when available, electronic versions of the Prize Talks:

Past Winners of the Harvey Prize

Year	Winner
2003	D. Longcope
2004	H. Warren
2005	S. Gibson
2006	S. Cranmer
2007	J. Qiu
2008	M. Linton
2009	L. Gizon
2010	B. Welsch
2011	M. Rempel
2012	D. Nandy
2013	T. Torok
2014	A. Rouillard
2015	J. Cirtain
2016	K. Reeves
2017	M. Cheung
2018	N. Viall
2019	A. Yeates
2020	H. Tian
2021	L. Kleint
2022	A. Kowalski
2023	B. Chen