ASTRONOMY PRIZE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31223, 22 November 1966, Page 9

ASTRONOMY PRIZE

Mr P. A. Read Honoured

Mr P. A. Read, of Wellington, well known to many New Zealanders through his television programmes on astronomy, has been awarded the Murray Geddes Memorial Prize for 1966.

The prize was presented to Mr G. A. Eiby, of the Wellington Astronomical Society, who accepted it on behalf of Mr Read, at the annual meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday. Mr F. M. Bateson, the president of the society, said that Mr Read had been a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand for 17 years, and for much of that time he had been director of the lunar and planetary section. In that capacity he had co-ordinated the work of a team of observers, and had produced comprehensive reports on the work being done. He had done more than anyone else in New Zealand to spread knowledge of astronomy, not only by broadcasting but also through lectures given throughout the country. Mr Bateson said that Mr Read had done a great deal of original research work, especially on the planets and the moon.