ASU professors among first class of American Astronomical Society Fellows

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) recently announced that a new accolade, Fellow of the AAS, has been established to honor members for extraordinary achievement and service.

Among this first class of AAS Fellows are Arizona State University Regents Professor Sumner Starrfield and Professor Emeritus Anne Cowley, both of the School of Earth and Space Exploration.

“I am thrilled to be included among the first group of AAS Fellows chosen because of the strength of their contributions to astronomy and the society,” said Starrfield, who has served as chair of the publications board at AAS. “And I am grateful to ASU for their support of my research and teaching.”

Starrfield and Cowley are being recognized for their original research and publications, innovative contributions to astronomical techniques and instrumentation, significant contributions to education and public outreach, and noteworthy service to astronomy and to AAS.

“It's both a professional and personal honor,” Cowley said. “I have greatly enjoyed working with the AAS in a variety of capacities. It is wonderful that they have initiated this new honor for members who are longtime supporters of the AAS and its goals.”

The AAS Fellows program was established in 2019 to confer recognition upon AAS members for achievement and extraordinary service to the field of astronomy and the American Astronomical Society. AAS Fellows are recognized for their contributions toward the AAS mission of enhancing and sharing humanity's scientific understanding of the universe.

“We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of Professor Cowley and Professor Starrfield,” said Meenakshi Wadhwa, director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration. “This is a well-deserved honor that recognizes their seminal contributions to the fields of astrophysics and astronomy.”