If you’re a reader of Astronomy, you recognize the name Alan Stern. Through the years, he’s written numerous stories for the magazine. Some you can read online include “How I flew to space,” “5 modern revolutions in planetary science,” and “New Horizons explores the Kuiper Belt.”
Just recently, however, Stern received a great honor. He was named a fellow of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Fellows are recognized for their original research and publications, innovative contributions to astronomical techniques or instrumentation, significant contributions to education and public outreach, and other noteworthy service to astronomy. Fewer than one-half of one percent of the more than 8,000 AAS members receive this award each year.
A distinguished career
Most people probably recognize Stern as principle investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission, which launched in January 2006 and flew by and studied Pluto in July 2015. But he’s played a leadership role on 15 NASA and European Space Agency missions and served on the science teams of 15 others. The AAS made him a Fellow for his leadership in space science and instrumentation to study the outer solar system and for long-term service to the community.
TIME magazine named Stern one of the 100 most influential people of the year — twice! The editors recognized his contributions in 2016 and 2017. Also, in 2016, NASA presented him its Distinguished Public Service Medal, that agency’s highest civilian honor.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be named an AAS Fellow,” Stern said. “I owe the lion’s share of my professional success to Southwest Research Institute.”
Congratulations, Alan. Nobody deserves this award more than you.
