astronomers at Greenwich

nytecam · #1 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 04:55 PM

BAA annual exhibition meeting last Saturday at Greenwich Naval College here - I got the Merlin medal

Colarris · #2 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 05:42 PM

What was the medal for??

Lancashire Lad · #3 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 06:22 PM

Congratulations nytecam,

The BAA Merlin medal is a prestigious award indeed. Well done, you must be very proud.

Regards
Mike.

nytecam · #4 (**permalink**) 30-06-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colarris

What was the medal for??

All the BAA awards and previous recipients at

British Astronomical Association - Awards and Medals
and as you asked here's the citation

Nomination of Maurice Gavin for the Merlin Medal & Gift

Over many years Maurice has pushed back the boundaries of amateur astronomy by constructing his own instruments and embracing developing technology. A keen observer for more than fifty years he has regularly carried out observations of a variety of astronomical objects.

In the early days he encouraged the use of photography as a recording medium for astronomical observations. In the early 1980’s Maurice wrote a book describing how amateurs could benefit from using emerging computer technology. This encouraged many to try it for themselves.

Shortly after he set up publication for amateurs containing computer programs provided by himself and other contributing amateurs. This had a circulation of about 300. During the years that it was published it provided an insight into using this early technology for astronomical means and encouraged amateurs to start using computers.

Maurice was one of only a few amateurs using and developing techniques in spectroscopy. He was the first amateurs to obtain a spectrum of supernova 1996bu in M96. In 1998 he obtained a spectrum of the Wolf-Rayet star HD192163 in Cygnus. This star is assumed to be associated with the adjacent emission nebula NGC6888. He obtained images and spectra of several quasars including Q1226+023 (2C273) and Q0014+813 demonstrating that the spectral lines were highly redshifted.

Has achieved excellent results with modest equipment, generally from light polluted suburbia. When electronic imaging came along Maurice was keen to experiment with various cameras and equipment and by doing so motivated and encouraged others to follow suite.

Maurice has regularly contributed observations to the various observing sections of the Association as well as having several observations and images published in the Journal. In recent years he has had over twenty papers and items published in the Journal with a view to encouraging others to develop further their enjoyment of astronomy.

Maurice has given many talks to members at Ordinary and Section meetings outlining the work that he has been doing and describing some of the instrumentation and techniques that he has developed. He has always been the first to encourage and motivate others to develop their skills by demonstrating and communicating his work and achievements.

Over the course of many years Maurice has made a notable contribution to the advancement of astronomy and therefore would be worthy recipient of the Merlin Medal and Gift.

Signed Ron Johnson & Neville Grabaskey