ASSA Awards

Michael Mattiazzo is recognized nationally as “Australia’s leading comet expert.” and “renowned globally for his long-standing dedication to comet discovery and solar system observations.” Michael exhibits meticulous attention to detail, rigour, and research. He is generous in sharing his discoveries and assisting others to learn about comets. Since his Bill Bradfield award in 2003, Michael has discovered 10 comets, the latest being Comet C/2025 F2 SWAN. Michael has his own website https://southerncomets.info/ where he shares his observations and images of comets with the wider public.

The Special Interest Group for Radio Astronomy was setup in 2009 by ASSA members who wanted to explore electromagnetic wavelengths outside the narrow optical band. A first project was to use fluxgate magnetometers to measure small changes in Earth’s magnetic field. 16 years later the project is still running. Later one of the members came across the eCallisto project which involves monitoring the Sun’s radio emissions. The RASIG set about building the necessary equipment; by May 2019 it was up and running and on 5th June 2020 the first outburst from the sun was detected. By December 2020 the group had the highest number of Solar radio outburst detections within the world-wide eCallisto network. And have held that position ever since.

Andrew worked with the Mid Murray Landcare SA consortium of local Councils and landcare environmentalists for more than 2 years to help establish a dark sky reserve in South Australia. Andrew established Sky Quality Meter data for the locations within the reserve area and compiled this into the submission for accreditation status.

Robert received the Award in recognition of the excellent work he has done in the past few years in the area of variable star observing. Not only has he carried out valuable scientific observations to support various observing programs, but he has worked very hard to encourage others in ASSA to get involved as well.

David received the Award for the creation and development of VStar. VStar is a variable star data visualization and analysis software tool, which David has provided free to the astronomical community. Visit the VStar website https://www.aavso.org/vstar-overview to download the software and for more information.

Paul Haese received the Award in 2011 for his work on imaging Jupiter and contributing to the JUPOS program.

Blair received the Award in 2010 for his observations of the Charon occultation. The Award was presented to Blair by Honorary Life Member Steve Cook.

Terry was presented with the Award for his internationally acknowledged efforts in gathering visual and photometric observations/data of beta Gruis over the period 23 September 2003 to 6 August 2005. His observations resulted in the reclassification of beta Gruis from "slow irregular" to that of a "semiregular with poor periodicity" class. Terry conducted observations from his roll-off-roof observatory at his home and his findings were published in the Journal of the American Association of Variable Star Observers.

Bill Bradfield presented Blair with the Award for his scientific observations of Pluto. Blair co-authored a paper with the MIT which was submitted to Nature as a result of his observations.

Michael has spent many nights of diligently searching for comets, doing variable star observations and occultation reports. Mike typifies the best of what we should all aspire to in observational astronomy, as Bill has before him. Too few members are involved in this, so to receive this is a great honour indeed.

Jenni has spent many years painstakingly studying dark sky objects. She has also written a book entitled "A Visual Survey of Star Cluster and Nebulae of the Magellanic Clouds".

At the 2001 Annual Dinner, Bill presented the award to Justin Tilbrook for his thorough research of the sky for comets. At the time the award was presented, Justin had discovered two comets and continues to search for them.

Fraser Farrell was presented with the first award by Bill Bradfield in 2000. He received the award for consistent observation and reporting of variable stars, publishing Binocular Variables for Southern Observers, a collection of observing charts and notes for neglected bright southern variables (The Dot Book), and participation in international observing campaigns through the VSS, RASNZ, AAVSO and VSNET.