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.

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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.

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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