The Rolf Meier Award for Solar System Observing
Rolf Georg Walter Meier, electronics designer, amateur astronomer (born 24 July 1953 in Goslar, West Germany; died 26 June 2016 in Ottawa, ON). Meier made unique discoveries of four new comets, all named after him.
“Rolf Meier immigrated to Canada in 1958 and grew up in Ottawa. After receiving a Bachelor of Engineering from Carleton University in 1977, he was employed by Mitel Corporation, a telecommunications company (see Electronics Industry). Meier started building his own telescopes in the late 1960s and joined the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) in 1970. In 1974, he began a systematic search for new comets using the 400 mm telescope of the RASC. He discovered Comet Meier 1978f on 26 April 1978, a first for a Canadian astronomer observing in Canada. He was awarded the Chant Medal of the RASC in 1979. He followed up his initial success with additional comet discoveries in 1979, 1980 and 1984. His total search time for all four comets was under 200 hours, a remarkable observational record that he attributed to using a larger aperture than normal in comet hunting.” (Millman, Peter M.. “Rolf Meier”. The Canadian Encyclopedia, 04 October 2018, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/rolf-georg-walter-meier. Accessed 13 November 2024.
This award was established in 2018 by Rolf’s widow and observing partner, Linda. Initially designated for planetary observing, it is in 2024 widening its scope to all manner of solar system bodies whether solar, lunar, meteoric, planetary or commentary, as well as process such aurorae, and atmospheric effects like sun halos, dogs, pillars and glories. Given Rolf’s renown as a comet discoverer – he was the first Canadian to discover a comet from Canadian soil back in 1978 – the renaming seems appropriate, otherwise he would not qualify for his own award.
Similar to the criteria for Paul Comision Award for Observer of the Year, the award recognizes outstanding technical competence along with the RASC other flagship goals of promoting communication of results and promoting scientific methods.
