The White House Hearts Astronomy October 9, 2009
Posted by sarah in: astronomy, politics , trackbackThis week the White House was the venue for the most high-profile Star Party of the year. To celebrate the International Year of Astronomy, the President played host to over a hundred school kids and amateur astronomers. He gave a lovely opening address about the importance of science in society, his desire to reinvigorate maths and science education in the US, and he encourages the youngsters present to let their sense fo wonder and passion drive them in their pursuit for discovery. The man can speak.
On the same day one of the National Medals of Science, the US’s most prestigious science prize, was awarded to astronomer James Gunn, Professor at Princeton University and project scientist for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, one of the most important observational surveys in astronomy of the last decade. Congrats!
Read the official transcript of the awards here.
(Particularly nice in the President’s speech I thought was the mention of Alan Turing who this year, much belatedly, received an apology from the British PM for the apalling treatment he received because of his sexuality. A little nod to the gay community from Obama?)
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