Year |
Winner(s) |
Comments |
1980 |
Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association, Grand Rapids MI |
Sponsor – Edmond Scientific |
1981 |
The Sir Isaac Newton Astronomical Society, Kane PA |
Sponsor – Edmond Scientific |
1982 |
(no award) |
|
1983 |
(no award) |
|
1984 |
(no award) |
|
1985 |
(no award) |
|
1986 |
(no award) |
|
1987 |
(no award) |
|
1988 |
(no award) |
|
1989 |
Northwest Suburban Astronomers, Barrington IL |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Bay’s Mountain Amateur Astronomers, Kingsport TN
- The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club, Massillon OH
- American Samoa Astronomical Society, Pago Pago, American Samoa
- Penn State Astronomy Club, State College PA
|
Honorable Mentions |
1990 |
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Toronto Centre, Toronto CANADA |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science MA
- Mountain Skies Astronomical Society, Lake Arrowhead CA
- Northwest Suburban Astronomers
- The Wilderness Center Astronomy Club
- Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society
|
Honorable Mentions |
1991 |
Buffalo State Astronomical Society, Buffalo NY |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science MA
- Mountain Skies Astronomical Society, Lake Arrowhead CA
|
Honorable Mentions |
1992 |
Charles Hayden Planetarium, Boston MA |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Spokane Astronomical Society WA
- United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey/amateur Astronomers, Inc NJ
|
Honorable Mentions |
1993 |
Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Santa Rosa CA |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science MA
- Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Santa Rosa CA
- Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill NC
- Saguaro Astronomy Club, Phoenix AZ
|
Honorable Mentions |
1994 |
Astronomy in Montclair, Montclair NJ |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science MA
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, Rocklin CA
- Castro Valley, CA
- Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Santa Rosa CA
- The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Toronto Centre
- Greenbelt Astronomy Club, MD
- McLeannan County Astronomy Club, Lorenz TX
|
Honorable Mentions |
1995 |
The Local Group, Clarita Valley CA |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland OR
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
- Don Harrington Discovery Center/Amarillo Astronomy Club
- Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society, Kutztown PA
- Zavala Magnet School, Odessa TX
- Northern Cross Science Foundation, Port Washington WI
- Ancient City Astronomy Club, Palm Coast FL
|
Honorable Mentions |
1996 |
Ventura County Astronomical Society, Simi Valley CA |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Ancient City Astronomy Club, Palm Coast FL
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- The Louisville Astronomical Society
- The Newark Museum
- West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers KY
- Don Harrington Discovery Center/Amarillo Astronomy Club TX
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
|
Honorable Mentions |
1997 |
The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association, Savannah GA |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Chester County Astronomical Society
- Neville Public Museum Astronomy Society
- Ancient City Astronomy Club, Palm Coast FL
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland OR
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Sirius Astronomy Society, ALGERIA
- Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI
- Ventura County Astronomical Society, Semi Valley CA
- Pontchartrain Astronomy Society, Westwego LA
- EMDSO, Washington Missouri
|
Honorable Mentions |
1998 |
Sheboygan Astronomical Society, Sheboygan WI |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society
- Ancient City Astronomy Club
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Silver Lake Regional High School
- Northwest Wisconsin Stargazers
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
- Central Valley Astronomers
|
Honorable Mentions |
1999 |
Puerto Rico Astronomy Society, San Juan, PR |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope |
- Chester County Astronomical Society
- Neville Public Museum Astronomy Society
- Ancient City Astronomy Club
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Albuquerque Astronomical Society
- Silver Lake Regional High School
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- Northeast Wisconsin Stargazers
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science
|
Honorable Mentions |
2000 |
- Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science MA
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winners |
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society CA
- Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society
- Escambia Amateur Astronomers’ Association
- Northeast Wisconsin Stargazers WI
|
Honorable Mentions |
2001 |
Sudekum Planetarium at the Cumberland Science Museum |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
Alachua Astronomy Club (Solar System hay ride, Planet putt-putt) |
Best New Idea |
- Stonebelt Stargazers
- Junior Engineering Technical Society of Freeport High School
|
Most for its Size |
Charles Hayden Planetarium of the Boston Museum of Science |
Quality Events Year After Year |
- Northeast Wisconsin Stargazes
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
|
Honorable Mentions |
2002 |
Hilo Astronomy Club |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
- Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (Lunar phase on the day you were born)
- Buhl Planetarium & Observatory (collaboration with Pittsburgh Symphony)
|
Best New Idea |
- Sangamon Astronomical Society
- Statesboro Astronomy Club
|
Most for its Size |
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
|
Quality Events Year After Year |
- Sudekum Planetarium
- Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observers Group
- Museum Astronomical Resource Society
|
Honorable Mentions |
2003 |
The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
- Durham Region Astronomical Association (letting the public pose for pictures beside large telescope)
- Cassiopeia Saarlouis e.V. (Hosting at a hotel with live Jazz and a buffet to accompany observing)
- Raleigh Astronomy Club & North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Kids activity-calculating age on other planets)
- Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observers Group (Souvenir print out of live CCD sky observing)
|
Best New Idea |
AstroDay Institute |
Most for its Size |
- Sudekum Planetarium
- Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
|
Quality Events Year After Year |
- Prince Sultan University
- Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island Children’s Museum, Long Island Museum of Science and Technology, Long Island Space Society, Amateur Observers of NY, Woodland Middle School, Weber Middle School
|
Honorable Mentions |
2004 |
Georgia Southern Planetarium/Statesboro Astronomy Club |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
- Iranian Astronomy Society-Amateur Branch/Farzanegan High School (people centered ecliptic & ages on other planets)
- The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science (simultaneous star parties located within 6 miles of any city resident)
- Adventure Science Center/Sudekum Planetarium (involving Sister City)
|
Best New Idea |
Flint River Astronomy Club |
Most for its Size |
AstroDay Institute |
Quality Events Year After Year |
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit
- The Local Group of Santa Clarita Valley
- Prescott Astronomy Club
- The Harmony Institute
- Cassiopeia Saarlouis e.V.
- Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
- York College of Pennsylvania
|
Honorable Mentions |
2005 |
Long Island Museum of Science & Technology (LIMSAT): Idea and Prototype Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center: Elaboration and Execution Cradle of Aviation Museum: Host and 2005 Team Leader (and best new idea-involving firefighters-space spin offs) |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
- Cradle of Aviation Museum, host; Long Island Museum of Science & Technology, idea & Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum and Education Center, execution (involving firefighters-space spin offs)
- AstroDay Institute (AstroDay Excellence in Teaching Award)
|
Best New Idea |
- Cumberland Astronomical Society
- Tri County Astronomers (Junior Engineering Technical Society of Freeport High School)
|
Most for its Size |
- Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
- The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science
- Starlight Observers League
- Salt Lake Astronomical Society
- Royal Astronomical Society of Canada-Niagara Centre
- Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
- The Clay Center for Science and Technology
|
Honorable Mentions |
2006 |
The Iranian Astronomical Society |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
AstroDay Institute (using IR camera for mementos and spectra education) |
Best New Idea |
Norman North High School Astronomy Club |
Best for its Size |
- The Irish Astronomical Society
- The Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
- Salt Lake Astronomical Society/Clark Planetarium/University of Utah/Harmons
- Black Hawk Astronomy Club
- Planetarium Science Center (Alexandria, EGYPT)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
- Tri-City Astronomy Club
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
- Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society
|
Honorable Mentions |
2007 |
AstroDay Institute |
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winner |
Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies |
Best New Idea |
Oglethorpe Astronomical Association |
Best for its Size |
Astronomical Society of Iran, Amateur Committee |
Quality Events Year After Year |
- Hamilton Amateur Astronomers
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
- Norman North Astronomy Classes & Club
- Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers
- Palmquist Road Observatory
- The Amateur Astronomers Association of Vadodara
- Tri-County Astronomers
- Warren Rupp Observatory and Astronomy for Youth
|
Honorable Mentions |
2008 |
- “The Houston collaborative”
- Astronomical Society of South East Texas (Beaumont, TX)
- Fort Bend Astronomy Club (Sugarland, TX)
- George Observatory (Brazos Bend State Park, TX)
- Houston Astronomical Society (Houston, TX)
- Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (Clear Lake, TX)
- North Houston Astronomy Club (Kingwood, TX)
- Local Group Astronomy Club of the Santa Clarita Valley
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope
Winners |
2009 |
- AstroDay Institute (large)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Clay Center for Science and Technology (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Des Moines Astronomical Society (student art contest) |
Best New Idea |
- Lemon Bay High School Astronomy Club
- Pacific Science Center
- Texas Astronomical Society
|
Honorable Mention |
2010 |
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winner |
2011 |
- Lakhota Nature Club, Gujarat, INDIA (large)
- Popular Astronomy Club (medium)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Popular Astronomy Club |
Best New Idea |
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society |
Quality Events Year After Year |
2012 |
- South Shore Astronomical Society and Scituate Public Library (large)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Northwest Suburban Astronomers (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Popular Astronomy Club |
Quality Events Year After Year |
2013 |
- Clay Center for Science & Technology (large)
- Popular Astronomy Club – Quad Cities (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (Involving PBS and hosting Curious George) |
Best New Idea |
- The Oglethorpe Astronomical Association
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
|
Quality Events Year After Year |
2014 |
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Popular Astronomy Club – Quad Cities |
Quality Events Year After Year |
2015 |
- Zaferanieh Educational Observatory, Iran (large)
- Popular Astronomy Club –Quad Cities (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome Planetarium (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society |
Quality Events Year After Year |
Nawanagar Society, India |
Honorable Mention |
2016 |
- Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (large)
- Oglethorpe Astronomical Association (medium)
- Popular Astronomy club (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society |
Quality Events Year After Year |
Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (Starry Safari-matching constellations to confiscated illegal pets) |
Best New Idea |
2017 |
- Dhiren Meshvaniya, INDIA (large)
- Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (small)
|
Sponsor – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League.
Winners |
Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (Involving 5th Grade Students as Student Experts) |
Best New Idea |
2018 |
- Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society (medium)
- Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium (small)
|
Winners
Sponsors – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League. |
Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society (cellphone camera adaptor on telescopes) |
Best New Idea |
2019 |
Girl Scout Council of Nation’s Capital |
Best Event in a Large Metropolitan Area
Sponsors – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League. |
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
Westminster Astronomical Society |
Sponsors – Sky & Telescope , the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical League. |