Katherine Bruce Medal

Gold medal Catherine Wolf Bruce ( born Bruce Medal ) - one of the most prestigious awards for astronomers and astrophysicists, established by the Pacific Astronomical Society .

The medal was established in 1898 in honor of the famous American philanthropist and patroness of astronomy Catherine Wolf Bruce .

The founders of the Pacific Astronomical Society approached Katherine Bruce and asked her to allocate money for the establishment of a gold medal, which will be awarded by the Society for astronomical work of the highest class. Miss Bruce agreed to provide $ 2,750 as a monetary expression for the Gold Medal awarded annually.

At the same time, rules were developed for awarding a medal, according to which annually the directors of three American and three foreign observatories must, at the request of the Society, submit from one to three candidates “worthy to receive a medal next year”. In addition, it was pointed out that the award should be “international in nature and may be awarded to a citizen of any country, regardless of gender.”

Each year, one of the scientists is awarded a medal for fundamental achievements in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.

The Bruce Gold Medal of the Pacific Astronomical Society has become one of the most respected awards among astronomers. The Bruce Medal marked the most significant figures of star science in many countries, including the USSR / Russia.

Despite one of the rules for awarding the prize, the first female astronomer received the Gold Medal. Bruce only in 1982; this award was awarded to Elinor Marguerite Burbidge .