Cambridge author scoops coveted Astronomical Society Award

Ian Ridpath has won the prestigious Klumpke-Roberts Award in recognition of his work in communicating astronomy to the wider public.

Ian is a full-time writer, editor, broadcaster and lecturer on astronomy and a long-standing Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He is author or editor of more than 40 books, including The Monthly Sky Guide, (with Wil Tirion) which is published by Cambridge University Press.

The Klumpke-Roberts Award, awarded by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), recognises outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy and is open to "individuals involved in science, education, writing, publishing, broadcasting, astronomy popularisation, the arts, or other pursuits" from all nations and is the most prestigious award of its kind.

President of the ASP, Professor William Gutsch, said: "For three decades Ian has been one of the most respected and widely published authors in the popularisation of astronomy. His contributions to astronomy education comprise a rich catalogue of accessible books, articles, television and radio appearances and lectures. His many popular sky atlases and guides have gone through a number of editions and are considered models of clarity and facility of use."