The International Astronomical Union congratulates IAU Press Officer Lars Lindberg Christensen on receiving the 2021 Klumpke-Roberts Award, announced by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) on 24 August 2021. This prestigious prize, whose previous recipients include Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov, recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.

Lars Lindberg Christensen has been IAU Press Officer for more than 15 years, during which he has driven many successful initiatives to engage the public in astronomy. He was the global manager of the IAU’s International Year of Astronomy in 2009, which brought the wonder of the Universe to 815 million people in 148 countries, through activities including star parties, public talks and school programmes.

“The IAU welcomes this-well deserved award for Lars, who has been its invaluable Press Officer for so many years” says Teresa Lago, IAU General Secretary.

During his career, Lars Lindberg Christensen has also spearheaded communication and engagement programmes of other large astronomy organisations, including the European Space Agency’s Hubble operation, the European Southern Observatory and the NSF’s NOIRLab. Across his work, he has sought to build a global community of astronomy communicators, and to promote astronomy in the developing world.

Through producing high-quality educational material, including books, planetarium shows and pieces for television and radio, Lars Lindberg Christensen has contributed significantly to astronomy education. He has also been a strong advocate for open public access of images and videos from major research facilities, such as the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS/JAXA).

One nominator commented that Lars Lindberg Christensen’s outstanding work “speaks volumes to Lars’ vision of making scientific educational material of the highest quality available, for free, to anybody in the world with a computer, an internet connection, and the desire to learn more about astronomy.” The ASP will present the award to Lars Lindberg Christensen at the 2021 ASP Awards Gala, which will take place virtually on 19 November 2021.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12 000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

• ASP press release 
• NOIRLab Announcement

Contacts

Laura Hiscott
Deputy IAU Press Officer
Email: laurahiscott@hotmail.co.uk