National Awards

30-year RASC member (Toronto Centre 1979–87; Kingston Centre 1987–present). National Librarian (1994–97). Digitized the National Newsletter (1970–90) and Bulletin archives. First Kingston member to complete the RASC Finest NGC Certificate (1995). Ken Chilton Prize recipient (2008).

Member since 1989. Held national positions as Secretary, Treasurer, Council Representative, and President. Led eight or more national committees (1994–2009). ALPO Solar Coordinator since 2005. Created the RASC Astrosketchers web presence and discussion forums.

Member since 1990. Served as KC librarian (1994–96), webmaster (1996–2003), and Regulus editor. Introduced the Observational Astronomy for Novice program to Kingston. National Webmaster since 2000. Archived RASC historical reports and minutes electronically.

Cited by Susan Gagnon of the Kingston Centre: “His knowledge, enthusiasm and talent for telling a story has made him an ideal promoter of astronomy.” His body of work spans observing guides, research papers, biographies, magazine articles and columns. (JRASC Vol. 96, p. 212)

Honoured June 29, 1986 in Winnipeg. Served extensively on the Kingston Centre executive. “Indefatigable in sharing his wide knowledge and observing skills.” Built a personal observatory; skilled astrophotographer. Served as National Recorder and conducted public outreach with slide presentations across eastern Ontario.

Joined the RASC in 1973 and the Kingston Centre in 1979. By the mid-1980s he was producing more than 4,000 variable star observations each year, placing him among the top few AAVSO observers worldwide. Discoveries include Nova Cygni 1978 and an outburst of RS Ophiuchi (January 1985).

Recognized as an exceptional variable star observer, submitting over 2,000 observations per month to the AAVSO. Skilled in comet hunting, nova searching, and sunspot recording. Observed all Messier objects and all planets in a single night. Assembled a collection of over 50 working telescopes and contributed regularly to Star and Sky magazine.

First woman National President of the RASC (1943–44). Founded the Kingston Centre in 1960 after moving from Montreal to Queen’s University, where she served as Dean of Women and Professor of Astronomy. Cited for distinguished authorship and astronomical lectures.