Awards by the AG

The German Astronomical Society awards the following awards. Detailed information on the right to apply and the scope of the prizes are laid down in the statutes.

The German Astronomical Society awards the Karl Schwarzschild Medal to recognize outstanding scientific contributions. The awarding of the medal is accompanied by the Karl Schwarzschild Lecture held at the annual meeting of the AG. The award winner will be nominated by the AG's Executive Board.

The Astronomische Gesellschaft awards honorary membership to persons to recognize individuals for their exceptional service to the Society.

Honorary members of the AG (since):

  • Hans-Ulrich Keller (2022)
  • Rudolf Kippenhahn (2016)
  • Klaus Tschira (2011)
  • Hans-Heinrich Voigt (2007)
  • Reimar Lüst (1998)
  • Martin Schwarzschild (1993)
  • Erich Kirste (1992)
  • Wilhelm Becker (1992)
  • Albrecht Unsöld (1989)

The Ludwig Biermann Award was established in 1988 by the Astronomische Gesellschaft to be awarded in recognition of outstanding young astronomers whose doctorate does not date back more than six years. The award consists of a prize money of 3.000 euros for financing a scientific stay at an institution of the recipient's choice. 

The AG awards the Bruno H. Bürgel Prize for excellent popular representations of the latest results in the field of astronomy in German in the media (e.g. print, radio and TV). The award consists of a prize money of 2.000 euros and a certificate. The prize can be awarded biennially.

The AG awards the Hans-Ludwig Neumann Prize for an outstanding didactical work on astronomical education at school. The award consists of a prize money of 2.000 euros and a certificate. The prize can be awarded biennially.

The AG awards the Doctoral Thesis Award to a young astronomer for the best PhD thesis of the past year. The award comprises a prize money of 1.000 euros and a certificate.

The AG awards the Instrument Development Award for design, development, construction and/or significant extension of an astronomical instrument that led to remarkable progress in astrophysical research. The award comprises a prize money of 3.000 euros and a certificate. The prize can be awarded biennially, usually alternating with the Astrophysical Software Award.

The AG awards the Astrophysical Software Award for design and development of astrophysical computer programs that led to remarkable progress in astrophysical research.The award comprises a prize money of 3.000 euros and a certificate. The prize can be awarded biennially, usually alternating with the Instrument Development Award.

The AG promotes pupils as part of the Jugend forscht (Youth's Research) Award and invites the German winners of the Earth/space science section to the following scientific meeting including trophy money.

EAS