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idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and the German Astronomical Society (Astronomische Gesellschaft, AG) are delighted to announce that the Caroline Herschel Medal 2025 is awarded to Prof. Isobel Hook of Lancaster University in recognition of her outstanding contributions to astrophysics, particularly her leadership in the study of distant supernovae and the accelerating expansion of the universe.
Prof. Hook has been instrumental in advancing the field through her significant roles in major international collaborations. Her work with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) has enhanced our ability to probe the faintest and most distant cosmic phenomena, while her contributions to 4MOST, Euclid and the Rubin Observatory advance large-scale surveys of dark energy and galaxy evolution.
Prof. Hook's involvement in the future Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) further strengthens her reputation as a visionary in the development of next-generation astronomical facilities.
As a dedicated educator and mentor, and leader of the Lancaster Astrophysics group, Prof. Hook inspires the next generation of astronomers and fosters global scientific collaboration. Her work epitomizes the spirit of discovery and excellence celebrated by the Caroline Herschel Medal, honoring her profound impact on astronomy and her enduring legacy in the scientific community.
Prof. Stefanie Walch-Gassner, President of the German Astronomical Society, stated: "Prof. Hook’s remarkable contributions to astrophysics and her leadership in major international collaborations have profoundly shaped our understanding of the universe. We are honored to recognize her achievements with the Caroline Herschel Medal."
Prof. Mike Lockwood, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Isobel Hook is this year's winner of the Caroline Herschel Medal. This annual prize alternates between a UK-based and a German-based female astrophysicist and the level of achievement of all winners has been extraordinary. Isobel maintains that truly exceptional standard. She has authored 180 refereed papers which have garnered over 47,000 citations from other scientists, pioneering studies of the faintest and furthest of the known objects in the universe. She also works hard to inspire younger scientists and to make sure they have the instruments and techniques that will make further discoveries, helping to unravel the great mysteries of astronomy and cosmology, such as dark energy."
Established in 2021, the Caroline Herschel Medal and Prize honors the legacy of pioneering astronomer Caroline Herschel (1750–1848), who made groundbreaking discoveries, including several comets. The award recognizes exceptional female astronomers based in the United Kingdom or Germany, reinforcing the commitment of both societies to promoting gender diversity in the field of astronomy and space sciences.
Prof. Dr. Isobel Hook joins an esteemed group of past recipients, including Linda Tacconi, Gillian Wright and Eva Grebel. The award not only celebrates individual excellence but also underscores the significant role of women in advancing our understanding of the universe.
The medal and prize will be formally presented at a ceremony on Thursday, 13th March 2025 at the German Ambassador’s Residence in London, where Prof. Hook will deliver a keynote address on her research.
Prof. Isobel Hook
Jill Jennings
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