The gold medal is the most prestigious reward given by the Royal Astronomical Society British, since 1824.

History

At the beginning, it often happened that several medals are decreed the same year, but starting from 1833 it was decided to deliver only one of them per annum. This created a problem in 1846 after the discovery of Neptune, because much thought that a reward should be given at the same time to John Couch Adams and Urbain the Glassmaker. A controversy followed, and no medal was given in 1847.

To solve the controversy, twelve medals of “regard” were given in 1848, in particular with Adams and the Glassmaker, and the rate/rhythm of a medal per annum took again starting from 1849. Adams and the Glassmaker accepted their reward only in 1866 and 1868, respectively.

With share two exceptions in 1867 and 1886 where two medals were decreed, and a few years when there of be at all, this rate/rhythm continued until in 1963. Since 1964 two medals are given every year, one in the field of the Astronomie and the other that of the Géophysique.

Prizes winner

1824

1850

1900

1950

2000

Money medals

On two occasions, money medals were also decreed, but this idea was quickly thereafter abandoned.

Medals of “regard” of 1848

External bonds

  • List of the recipients

Random links:Treaty of Senlis (1493) | Bibern (Soleure) | Saint-Jeure-in Andaure | Will of Louis XVI | Carolina

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