|
A bill currently before the U.S. Congress plans to reward amateur astronomers for their contribution to the discovery of Near Earth Objects. The bill was introduced by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and is dedicated to veteran astronaut Charles Pete Conrad who died in a road accident in 1999. Conrad made a significant contribution to the U.S. space program and flew in the Gemini, Skylab and Apollo missions.
The Charles Pete Conrad Act proposes to introduce awards for amateur astronomers who discover Near Earth Asteroids and make a significant contribution to the catalogue of the International Astronomical Union, Minor Planet Center. The awards themselves will be administered by the Smithsonian Institution. Congressman Rohrabacher intends that the awards will encourage amateur astronomers to continue searching for NEOs and stimulate an interest in space sciences amongst young people.
More info: Space.com
|
