Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) News
Printer Friendly VersionSouthwest Research Institute® scientist receives Sagan Medal
Boulder, Colorado -- October 11, 1999 -- The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society has awarded the Carl Sagan Medal to Dr. Clark R. Chapman, an Institute scientist at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI®) Department of Space Studies in Boulder, Colorado. Chapman is the second recipient of the award, named in honor of the late astronomer Carl Sagan, who was known for exploring the grandeur of the universe in lectures, books, and on television.
The Sagan Medal recognizes outstanding scientific communication to the general public by an active planetary scientist. Chapman was chosen in honor of his many promotional activities, such as writing articles, books, and a regular column for The Planetary Report, giving frequent commentaries on television and the popular science journals, and for other projects involving education and public outreach. Chapman recently testified before Congress about the potential hazards of an asteroid or comet impacting the Earth.
"We live in a society that is increasingly dominated by science and technology, yet the gap continues to widen between public understanding of science and reality," he says. "That is why it is so important for scientists and engineers to bridge that gulf or to help journalists and educators do it.
"The general public is always quite fascinated by astronomy, so planetary science is an especially fertile subject to use for engaging them about scientific issues," he says. "And it is forward-looking, as we move to the next century when humankind will strive to explore - and perhaps populate - the solar system."
The DPS will present the Sagan Medal and a cash award at a meeting in Padua, Italy, in October 1999.
For more information about Dr. Chapman's Sagan Medal, contact Maria Martinez, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas, 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-3305, Fax (210) 522-3547.
