Joe DeMartini,
an astronomy Ph.D. student at the University
of Maryland (UMD), is awarded the Schweickart
Prize for his outstanding leadership and innovative planetary
defense proposal.
SAN
FRANCISCO, June 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- B612
Foundation announces today the first Schweickart Prize will be
awarded to Joe DeMartini, an
astronomy Ph.D. at the University of
Maryland (UMD), for his outstanding twilight observing
campaign proposal. The prestigious prize will be presented by
Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart
at a special ceremony at the Chabot Space & Science
Center in Oakland,
California.
Joe DeMartini has been
selected for his innovative approach to enhance the discovery of
Near Earth Objects (NEOs) that have the potential to impact our
planet. His SUnward NEO Surveillance and Early Twilight detection
(SUNSET) Collaboration proposal promises to make important
contributions to the field of planetary defense by improving the
detection and confirmation of NEOs (aka asteroids) during twilight
hours. Read the proposal here.
"We are honored to present the inaugural Schweickart Prize to
Joe DeMartini," said Rusty Schweickart, co-founder of B612 Foundation
and Apollo 9 astronaut. "Joe's proposal exemplifies the
forward-thinking and scientific rigor this award seeks to
recognize. His work will play a crucial role in advancing our
knowledge and preparedness in the realm of planetary defense."
The Schweickart Prize, named in honor of Rusty Schweickart, recognizes graduate students
for their innovative ideas and potential leadership in advancing
planetary defense-related fields. The prize includes a $10,000 grant in recognition of their idea or
concept to support the recipient's research and career development.
It also includes a museum-quality award with an authenticated
meteorite.
Joe DeMartini's SUNSET proposal
seeks to establish a network of ground-based observatories to
advocate for and provide follow-up support for the proposed Vera C.
Rubin Observatory low-solar-elongation twilight microsurvey. The
Rubin Observatory has the capability to conduct detailed surveys
during twilight, a critical time for observing objects closer to
the sun that would be missed during regular night-time
observations. In addition to increasing the monitored region of the
inner solar system, DeMartini proposes to leverage recent advances
in NEO verification methods to confirm discoveries in this
infrequently observed population of asteroids. This SUNSET
community/Rubin Observatory collaboration has the potential to make
important contributions and increase discoveries in this
undersampled population of potentially hazardous asteroids.
"I am deeply honored to receive the Schweickart Prize," said
Joe DeMartini. "This recognition
underscores the importance of global cooperation to advance our
techniques for asteroid detection and planetary defense. I am
grateful for the support and look forward to continuing this vital
work."
"The founding sponsors who have generously funded the
Schweickart Prize program include Anousheh
Ansari, Barringer Crater Company, Future Ventures,
Geoffrey Notkin, Jurvetson Family
Foundation, Meteor Crater, Randy
Schweickart and Michelle
Heng, and Rusty B.
Schweickart and Joanne Keys"
said Danica Remy, President of B612
Foundation.
The award ceremony will occur as part of an all-day Asteroid Day
program on June 29th, 2024, at
3:30 pm at the Chabot Space &
Science Center in Oakland,
California. The event will feature a presentation by
Rusty Schweickart and comments from NASA astronauts
Steve Smith, Nicole Stott, and YouTuber Scott Manley. Admission tickets can be purchased
here.
About B612 Foundation and the Schweickart Prize
The Schweickart Prize, a program of B612 Foundation, is an
annual award to foster a new generation of leaders in planetary
defense and to encourage ideas to help protect Earth from potential
asteroid impacts. The prize is named after Russell "Rusty"
Schweickart, renowned Apollo 9 astronaut, co-founder of the
Association of Space Explorers and co-founder of B612 Foundation.
For more information, visit Schweickartprize.org.
Since 2002, B612 Foundation has developed tools and technologies
to understand, map, and navigate our solar system and protect our
planet from asteroid impacts through its Asteroid Institute program
and supporting educational programs, including Asteroid Day and the
Schweickart Prize. Founding Circle and Asteroid
Circle members and individual donors from 46 countries support
the work financially. For more information,
visit B612foundation.org or follow on
social: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin
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Chabot Space and Science Center June 29,
2024 local press & event information
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SOURCE B612 Foundation