An astronomer at W.M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea who showed that an immense black hole resides at the center of our galaxy will be awarded the Bakerian Medal from the Royal Society.
An astronomer at W.M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea who showed that an immense black hole resides at the center of our galaxy will be awarded the Bakerian Medal from the Royal Society.
The British organization selected Andrea Ghez, who is also a UCLA professor, for her “acclaimed discoveries using the techniques of optical astronomy,” according to a Keck statement.
That included the best evidence yet of a “monstrous black hole” at the center of the Milky Way by studying the movement of thousands of stars.
The medal is accompanied by a cash prize of 10,000 pounds (approximately $15,500).
Ghez will deliver the Bakerian Lecture in London in November.
The organization is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, Keck said.
The observatory on Thursday also announced that Anne Kinney will serve as its new chief scientist Aug. 3.
She was most recently NASA’s director of solar system exploration at Goddard Space Flight Center.