Rules for Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award

  1. The award will be for an achievement in astronomical research made by an amateur astronomer; that is a person not employed in the field of astronomy in a professional capacity, and who is resident in North America. The key factor will be that the work contributes to the advancement of the science of astronomy.
  2. Nominations will be formally invited each year via an announcement in the AAS Newsletter. The call for nominations will be circulated to other groups such as the ASP, AAVSO, ALPO, IAPP, and the Astronomical League.
  3. Nominations will be by an AAS member with three supporting letters, including at least one form a professional member of the AAS, to be received by a closing date. The nomination form shall be available in the members-only section of the AAS web site with the provision for the nominator to fill out basic information about the nominee (including contact information), a description of the achievement being singled out for recognition, and a statement as to why this amateur and this work are worthy of the award. Self nominations will be allowed but only from AAS members.
  4. An Amateur Achievement Award Committee will be appointed by the AAS Council to make an annual recommendation for the award. There will be five members with staged terms. It will include three members of the WGPAC and initially one member of the AAS Council. Members will be proposed to the Council by the Committee on Appointments. Initially, there will be two persons (including a chair) serving for two years, and three serving for three years. After the initial appointments, members will be appointed for three year terms.
  5. Nominations will remain active for three years as for other AAS awards and prizes. The Committee will have the option of not making an award in any one year should the nominations not be considered sufficiently meritorious.
  6. Nominations will remain active for three years as for other AAS awards and prizes.

The committee will have the option of not making an award in any one year if the nominations are not considered sufficiently meritorious.

Chambliss Award Nomination Form