Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society

The Gold Medal is the highest award of the Royal Astronomical Society.

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In the early years, more than one medal was often awarded in a year, but by 1833 only one medal was being awarded per year. This caused a problem when Neptune was discovered in 1846, because many felt an award should jointly be made to John Couch Adams and Urbain Le Verrier. A controversy arose and no award was made in 1847.

Related Topics:
1833 - Neptune - 1846 - John Couch Adams - Urbain Le Verrier - 1847

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The controversy was "resolved" by giving 12 "testimonial" awards in 1848 to various people including Adams and Le Verrier, and in 1849 awards resumed, with a limit of one per year. Adams and Le Verrier did not get their gold medals until 1866 and 1868, respectively.

Related Topics:
1848 - 1849 - 1866 - 1868

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The practice of awarding one medal a year continued until 1963, although two medals were awarded in both 1867 and 1886 and in a few years no award was made. Since 1964 there have been two awards in most years, one for astronomy and one for geophysics.

Related Topics:
1963 - 1867 - 1886 - 1964

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