* Astronomy

University of Maryland astronomer Michael A'Hearn has won the 2008 Kuiper Prize in recognition of his seminal contributions to, and leadership of, the study of comets. Awarded by the American Astronomical Society's Division of Planetary Science (DPS) the Kuiper Prize is given "to scientists whose achievements have most advanced our understanding of the planetary system."
The prize is named for Gerard P. Kuiper who is widely regarded as the father of planetary science. A'Hearn is receiving his award and will deliver a Kuiper Prize lecture at the DPS annual meeting that runs from October 10 through October 15 in Ithaca, New York.
This is the second major space science award A'Hearn has received in 2008. In August, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics awarded him its Space Science Award "for his leadership of the 'Deep Impact' mission, which delivered the first man-made object to impact the nucleus of a comet and study its composition."

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