Professor Alan Chapman of the University of Oxford, lead lecturer on Bemidji State University’s Eurospring Program, has received the 2015 Jackson-Gwilt medal from the Royal Astronomical Society.

The Jackson-Gwilt Medal is awarded for outstanding merit in either the invention, improvement or development of astronomical instrumentation or techniques; achievement in observational astronomy; or in the history of astronomy.

Chapman, a renowned astronomy historian, has brought astronomy to new audiences through his extensive public lecturing, publications and television appearances. In doing so he has raised the profile of the history of astronomy and stimulated historical research.