Nominations Sought for 2016 Viktor Ambartsumian Prize

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This announcement is posted on behalf of Areg M. Mickaelian:

The Viktor Ambartsumian Prize is one of the most important international awards in astronomy, astrophysics, and related sciences. It is awarded to outstanding scientists who have made significant contributions in the physical-mathematical sciences from any country and of any nationality. The prize totals USD $500,000 and, starting in 2010, has been awarded once every two years.

Nominations for the 2016 Viktor Ambartsumian Prize are now open. Only the following may submit nominations:

• Nobel Prize winners
• Presidiums of national academies of sciences
• Scientific councils of astronomical observatories
• Councils of corresponding departments of universities

Work by up to three authors may be nominated; the cash award is equally shared among the winners, and a diploma, a medal, and a certificate are awarded to each. Nominations are not allowed for work that has already won the prize or for work that is currently under consideration for another international prize.

Necessary documents for nomination:

1. Official letter of nomination signed and sealed by the nominating body
2. Statement of scientific results or achievements that are being nominated
3. Curriculum vitae of the nominee(s)
4. List of refereed publications by the nominee(s)
5. General annotations with reports of three referees
6. Published papers, books, CD/DVDs, or other works that are being nominated
7. Other documents that might be important for the decision

The documents should be submitted to the Viktor Ambartsumian Prize International Steering Committee, Presidium, National Academy of Sciences, Marshal Baghramyan Ave. 24, Yerevan 0019, Republic of Armenia. Phone: +374 10-525505.

Deadline for nominations: 18 March 2016. A decision will be made before 18 July 2016, and the awarding of the Viktor Ambartsumian Prize will take place on 18 September 2016.

Viktor Ambartsumian Prize International Steering Committee:

• Prof. Radik M. Martirosyan (Armenia, Chair)
• Prof. Catherine J. Cesarsky (France)
• Prof. Anatol Cherepashchuk (Russia)
• Prof. Norio Kaifu (Japan)
• Prof. Michel Mayor (Switzerland)
• Prof. Vahe Petrosian (USA)
• Prof. Brian Schmidt(Australia)
• Prof. Joseph Silk (UK)
• Prof. Yervant Terzian (USA)

Questions? Contact Dr. Areg M. Mickaelian (Scientific Secretary, International Steering Committee, phone: +374 91-195-914, email: [email protected], [email protected]) and/or Sona V. Farmanyan (Executive Secretary, International Steering Committee, phone: +374 10-525-505, +374 55-911-307, email: [email protected], [email protected]).

Previous winners of the Viktor Ambartsumian Prize:

2014:

• Felix Aharonian (Germany) — for his outstanding contributions to the field of high-energy astrophysics and to the physics of cosmic accelerators, and for his leading role in the development of the stereoscopic system of Cherenkov telescopes
• Igor Karachentsev (Russia) and Brent Tully (USA) — for their fundamental contributions to the cosmology of the local universe

2012:

• Jaan Einasto (Estonia) — for his fundamental contributions to the discovery of dark matter and the cosmic web
• Igor Novikov (Russia) — for his pioneering formulation of how to confirm observationally that our universe started as a hot universe, and for proposing a method for the determination of quasar masses

2010:

• Michel Mayor (Switzerland), Garik Israelian (Spain), and Nuno Santos (Portugal) — for their important contributions in the study of the relationships between planetary systems and their host stars