Andrew P. Ingersoll – 2007 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize recipient
The Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society awards the 2007 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize for outstanding contributions to the field of planetary science to Andrew P. Ingersoll, professor of Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology. For more than 40 years, he has been a leader in the investigation of planetary atmospheres. Andy’s contributions have been wide-ranging, including fundamental studies of Venus’ runaway greenhouse effect and atmospheric tides, the general circulation of the martian atmosphere, and the meteorology of the giant planets. He has provided new and highly original insights into the circulation of the upper tropospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, and he has explored the dynamical connections between the deep Jovian atmosphere and the upper layers that are directly accessible to observation. These are fundamental to the investigation of the nature and origin of differential rotation in giant planet atmospheres. Andy is also well-known for his invaluable participation on instrument teams for interplanetary missions, including Pioneers 1 and 2, Pioneer Venus, Voyager, Mars Global Surveyor, Galileo, and Cassini, among others. He has helped to define the important atmospheric science objectives of these missions, to design the observations themselves, and to lead both the analysis and theoretical interpretation of the results. His breadth of experience, wisdom, and articulate explanations have earned him well-deserved and wide regard.
In recognition of his scientific leadership, intellect, curiosity, scientific productivity, generosity, and his passionate pursuit of solar system exploration, it is with great pleasure that the Division for Planetary Sciences awards the 2007 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize to Andrew P. Ingersoll.
Francis Nimmo – 2007 Harold C. Urey Prize recipient
The Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society awards the 2007 Harold C. Urey Prize for outstanding achievement in planetary research by a young scientist to Francis Nimmo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz. A theoretical planetary geophysicist of exceptionally broad interests, Francis has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of the evolution of both terrestrial planets and icy satellites, using their observed surface topography and composition to investigate the evolution of forces responsible for their current states. His creative and provocative body of work has spanned the solar system, from estimates of the crustal thickness of Mercury, the surface and interior dynamics of Venus, and the evolution of the Martian crust to the interpretation of Triton’s surface ridges as formed by diurnal tidal stresses. His work incorporates estimates of core and mantle convection, tidal and radiogenic heating, crustal extension and compression, impacts, volcanism, and fluvial erosion. Francis has the skill of defining important problems, devising clever ways to solve them, and developing successful collaborations. He writes with exceptional clarity, thoroughness, and open-mindedness to the idea that even the most beautiful theory is only as strong as its observational support.
As a young planetary scientist whose work has strongly influenced current thinking about our Solar System from Mercury to Neptune, the Division for Planetary Sciences is pleased to award the 2007 Harold C. Urey Prize to Francis Nimmo.
Tom Gehrels – 2007 Harold Masursky Award recipient
The Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society presents the 2007 Harold Masursky Award for outstanding service to planetary science and exploration to Tom Gehrels, Professor of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona. Tom’s visionary and tireless efforts in developing the Space Sciences Series of the University of Arizona Press changed the face of planetary science. He also edited many of the early volumes in the series, thereby setting the high standard of quality for which these books have become known. It would be difficult to find anyone working in planetary science today who has not utilized some of the thirty Space Science Series volumes produced during Tom’s tenure as General Editor. For generations of graduate students, they have served as de facto textbooks, introducing them to the field and aiding them in making the transition from course work to independent research. By linking each volume to a scientific meeting devoted to a general topic, Tom created an environment in which specialists could broaden their knowledge and contribute to cross-disciplinary discussion and debate. His forceful personality helped to reinforce the revolutionary idea of collaborative authorship between rivals to provide balanced views of contentious issues. Tom’s efforts to raise financial support for publication costs helped to insure a broad readership of these invaluable volumes.
In recognition of his energetic leadership over three decades to produce the peerless Space Science Series, the Division for Planetary Sciences is pleased to present the 2007 Harold Masursky Award to Tom Gehrels.