Other Awards & Honours

RASC Victoria Centre members who have been recognized with awards and honours external to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Betty Hesser

Asteroid (378204) Bettyhesser = 2006 YF49

Discovery: 2006 Dec. 26 by D.D. Balam at Mauna Kea.

Betty Hinsdale Hesser (b.1938), passionately curious about, and gifted in languages, music and science, generously shares in an easily accessible manner her extensive knowledge, particularly about astronomy and reptiles, with people of all ages to address common misunderstandings and stimulate broader comprehension of nature.

Jim Hesser
Jim Hesser

Asteroid (39791) Jameshesser = 1997 PH4

Discovery: 1997-08-13 by D.D. Balam, D.D. at Victoria

James E. Hesser, acting director of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics and 1997 recipient of the Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, has contributed to the study of atomic and molecular spectroscopy, rapidly varying degenerate stars, stellar populations and chemical evolution in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies.

Lauri Roche
Lauri Roche

Asteroid (20035) Lauriroche = 1992 SA4

Discovery: 1992-09-24 / Spacewatch / Kitt Peak / 691

Lauri Roche (b. 1949) is a retired math, science, and special education teacher who joined RASC Victoria Centre in 1995 and leads local outreach activities. She was President of the club in 2011– 2012, won the RASC Service Award in 2019, serves on the Education and Outreach Committee and is a director of the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.

Asteroids named after two local space enthusiasts – Nov 13, 2023 Capitol Daily

Asteroids named after Saanich Peninsula residents – Nov 15, 2023 CHEK News

Chris Gainor

Asteroid (20041) Gainor = 1992 YH

Discovery: 1992-12-18 / A. Natori, T. Urata / Yakiimo / 885

Christopher Gainor (b. 1954) is a Canadian journalist, historian and amateur astronomer with a PhD in the history of technology from the University of Alberta. He has written six books about aerospace, including Not Yet Imagined, the operational history of the Hubble Space Telescope, published by NASA in 2021. Gainor was President of the RASC in 2018–2020.

Sid Sidhu
Sid Sidhu

Asteroid (10109) Sidhu = 1992 KQ

Discovery: 1992-05-29 / E. F. Helin / Palomar / 675

Jaskarn Singh “Sid” Sidhu (b. 1938) joined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Victoria Centre, in 1985, and has been a mentor for new members. He coordinates the loan of Centre-owned telescopes and the club’s schools program. Sid was awarded the RASC President’s Award in 2010 for his leadership during the International Year of Astronomy. Citation

Jack & Alice Newton

Asteroid (30840) JackAlice = 1991 GC2

In 2006 Jack Newton and his wife Alice, were awarded an honour: the tiny asteroid 30840, discovered by Caroline Shoemaker and David Levy on April 15, 1991, was renamed “JackAlice” in recognition of their contributions to astronomy.

ASP Amateur Achievement Award

1988 Jack Newton

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal

1977 Jack Newton