A professor at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been presented with an award for his lifetime commitment to public outreach and service to astronomy.

The Royal Astronomical Society’s (RAS) 2022 Service Award for Astronomy was awarded to Professor Don Kurtz, who from 2010 to 2020, gave over 300 public lectures, featured in a number of TV programmes and on the radio.

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He has given public presentations on every continent, except Antarctica, and has a longstanding commitment to teaching in African schools.

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Professor Kurtz observes with some of the largest telescopes in the world, has over 2000 nights at the telescope, and over 500 professional publications.

Professor Kurtz said: “I am delighted to be recognised by the RAS for my outreach and service activities over my 55-year (so far) career.

“As a consequence of covid restrictions I have not been back to Preston for 15 months, although I’m planning a return in April when I hope to give a public lecture organised through the University’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute.”

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