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Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award
The Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award is presented for astronomy writing for an academic audience — specifically, textbooks at either the upper-division undergraduate or the graduate level.
The motivation for this choice is the fact that introductory textbooks and popular astronomy books have large markets and a number of existing modes of recognition and reward. Books serving astronomy majors and graduate students, by contrast, have relatively small markets and excellence in this area is rarely recognized. Nonetheless, such books serve a vital role in professional development.
The winning book will be recognized with a single gold medal, and if the winning book has multiple authors, the $1,000 monetary award will be divided, and multiple certificates will be issued.
History:
Rules for the Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award were approved at the 208th AAS Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, June 2006.
Eligibility:
- Candidate books must be astronomy writing for an academic audience — specifically, textbooks at either the upper-division undergraduate or graduate level.
- Books suitable for this award must be currently available in North America.
Criteria:
- Depth and Focus — the book covers the topic at a suitable depth for upper-echelon college or graduate-level courses.
- Organization — material is presented in a progressive way, to build the student’s knowledge and the tools required to apply what is learned.
- Clarity — information is presented clearly and logically with appropriate graphics, mathematics (as required), and development of physical concepts to inform and educate the user.
- Study aids and exercises for the student are appropriate for the material presented in the text and effectively contribute to the student’s mastery of the subject.
Self-nominations are allowed. For questions, please contact the AAS Secretary.
Nomination Deadline: 30 June
Nomination Process
Award Winners
2026 - Marc Pinsonneault
For the textbook "Stellar Structure and Evolution" (2023 Cambridge University Press).
2026 - Barbara Ryden
For the textbook "Stellar Structure and Evolution" (2023 Cambridge University Press).
2025 - Dragan Huterer
For the textbook "A Course in Cosmology: From Theory to Practice" (2023 Cambridge University Press), an approachable overview of the relevant techniques currently used by both observational and theoretical cosmologists.
2024 - Viviana Acquaviva
For the textbook "Machine Learning for Physics and Astronomy" (2023 Princeton University Press), which provides a useful guide to cutting-edge knowledge and skills at a graduate-student level, packaged in a well-produced and accessible text.
2022 - Daniel Baumann
Retroactively awarded for "Cosmology" (2022 Cambridge University Press), a textbook that provides graduate-level cosmology content with the production and features typical of the best new undergraduate texts.
2023 - Emily M. Levesque
For the the upper-level undergraduate or graduate textbook, "Understanding Stellar Evolution" (IOP Publishing Ltd., 2017).
2023 - Henny J.G.L.M. Lamers
For the the upper-level undergraduate or graduate textbook, "Understanding Stellar Evolution" (IOP Publishing Ltd., 2017).
2020 - Thomas Burbine
For his undergraduate textbook "Asteroids: Astronomical and Geological Bodies" (Cambridge University Press, 2017).
2019 – David Branch and J. Craig Wheeler
For their scholarly book "Supernova Explosions" (Springer, 2017).
2018 – Kevin Heng
For his pioneering graduate textbook "Exoplanetary Atmospheres: Theoretical Concepts and Foundations" (Princeton University Press, 2017).
2013 – George Rieke
For his graduate textbook "Measuring the Universe: A Multiwavelength Perspective" (Cambridge University Press, 2012).
2012 – Abraham (Avi) Loeb
For his lively, but concise account, "How Did the First Stars and Galaxies Form?" (Princeton University Press 2010).
2011 – Caleb A. Scharf
For his groundbreaking textbook “Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology” (University Science Books, 2009).
2010 – Hale Bradt
For his upper level undergraduate/graduate astronomy textbook, “Astrophysics Processes.”