Société astronomique de France

The Société astronomique de France (SAF; French: [sɔsiete astʁɔnɔmik də fʁɑ̃s]), the French astronomical society, is a non-profit association in the public interest organized under French law (Association loi de 1901). Founded by astronomer Camille Flammarion in 1887, its purpose is to promote the development and practice of astronomy.[1]

Société astronomique de France
Founded28 January 1887 (1887-01-28)
FounderCamille Flammarion
TypeNon-profit association
PurposeTo promote the development and practice of astronomy
Headquarters3, rue Beethoven, Paris 75016, France
Region served
France and French-speaking countries
Official language
French
President
Patrick Baradeau
Websitehttp://www.saf-astronomie.fr

History
Camille Flammarion, SAF's founder

SAF was established by Camille Flammarion and a group of 11 persons on 28 January 1887 in Flammarion's apartment at 16 rue Cassini, 75014 Paris, close to the Paris Observatory.[2][3] Open to all, SAF includes both professional and amateur astronomers as members, from France and abroad.[4]

Its objective was defined at the time of its establishment as: "A Society is founded with the aim to bring together people involved practically or theoretically in Astronomy, or who are interested in the development of this Science and the extension of its influence for the illumination of minds. Its efforts shall support the increase and extension of this Science, as well as to facilitating ways and means for those who wish to undertake astronomical studies. All friends of the Science and Progress are invited for its composition and development."[5]

On 4 April 1887, the headquarters was established at the Hôtel des Sociétés Savantes, 28 rue Serpente, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The society built an observatory on the top floor of the building for its members use that operated from 1890–1968 (Observatory of the rue Serpente).[6] On 17 October 1966, the headquarters moved to the Maison de la Chimie at 28 rue Saint-Dominique, Paris 75007.[7] Since 1974, the headquarters has been located at 3, rue Beethoven, Paris 75016.[8]

To date, the Society has had 49 presidents comprising many illustrious persons in astronomy and related fields.[4]

Activities and services

Awards

The society has offered the following awards over the years to its members and to notable personalities in the field of astronomy in France and abroad. Not all awards are given every year, and some have been discontinued.

Prix Jules-Janssen medal
  • Prix Jules Janssen. Recognition of astronomical work in general, or services rendered to Astronomy, by a professional. Prize established by Jules Janssen. Annual prize awarded 1896–present.[13]
  • Prix des Dames. Recognition of services rendered to the Society of any kind. Prize established at the initiative of Sylvie Camille Flammarion and a group of women members of SAF. Annual prize awarded 1896–present.[13]
  • Prix Maurice Ballot. Recognition of authors of works of the Society's observatory. Biannual prize established by a donation of Maurice Ballot, SAF Librarian.[14] Awarded when merited. Given 1921–present.[13]
  • Prix Georges Bidault de l'Isle. Encouragement of young people who show a special talent for astronomy or meteorology. Individuals are chosen from participants at courses and conferences, collaboration at the Observatory, or through communications in the bulletin during the preceding year. Prior to 1956, this award was known as the Prix de l'Observatoire de la Guette.[15] Annual prize awarded 1925–[13]
Medal of the Prix Henry Rey, originally designed by Alphée Dubois in 1900
  • Prix Henry Rey. Recognition of an important work in astronomy. A silver medal is awarded annually. Established by funds bequeathed by Henry Rey of Marseille.[14] Annual prize awarded 1926–present.[13]
  • Prix Gabrielle et Camille Flammarion. Recognition of an important discovery and marked progress in astronomy or in a sister science, to aid an independent researcher, or to assist a young researcher to begin work in astronomy. Given odd-numbered years, alternating with the Prix Dorothea Klumpke-Isaac Roberts. Prize awarded 1930–present.[16]
  • Prix Dorothea Klumpke - Isaac Roberts. Encouragement of the study of the wide and diffuse nebulae of William Herschel, the obscure objects of Barnard, or the cosmic clouds of R.P. Hagen. Biannual prize established by a donation of Dorothea Klumpke Roberts in honor of her late husband Isaac Roberts.[14] Prize awarded 1931–[13]
  • Prix Marcel Moye. Recognition of a young member of the Society for his or her observations. Individuals must be 25 years of age or less. Annual prize awarded 1946–.[13]
  • Prix Marius Jacquemetton. Recognition of a work or research by a member of the Society, a student, or a young astronomer. Annual prize awarded 1947–present.[13]
  • Prix Viennet - Damien. Recognition of a beautiful piece of optics or for some work in this branch of astronomy. Given in alternate years with the Prix Dorothea Klumpke-Isaac Roberts. Prize awarded 1949–[13]
  • Prix Julien Saget. Recognition of an amateur for his or her remarkable astronomical photography. Annual prize awarded 1969–present.[13]
  • Prix Edmond Girard. Encouragement for a beginning vocation in astronomy or scientific exploration of the sky above the Observatoire de Juvisy. Annual prize awarded 1974–.[13]
  • Prix Camus - Waitz. Named in honor of Jacques Camus and Michel Waitz. Awarded – present.
  • Prix Marguerite Clerc. The condition of attribution of this prize is left to the discretion of the SAF Council.[17]
  • Prix International d'Astronautique. Recognition of a study of interplanetary travel/astronautics. Prize established by Robert Esnault-Pelterie and André-Louis Hirsch. Prior to 1936, it was known as the Prix Rep-Hirsch. Given when merited. Prize awarded 1928–1939.[13][18]
  • Médaille des Anciens Présidents. Awarded when merited.
  • Médaille Commémorative. Annual prize awarded 1901–[13]
  • Médaille du Soixantenaire. Recognition of members who achieve 60 continuous years of membership. Awarded when merited.
  • Plaquette du Centenaire de Camille Flammarion. Recognition of eminent service to the Society. Annual prize awarded 1956–.[19]

The Parisian engraver Alphée Dubois (1831–1905) created several medals for the Société Astronomique de France, including the Medal of the Society "la Nuit étoilée" (1887),[20] the Medal of the Prix des Dames (1896), the Medal of the Prix Janssen (1896),[21] and the Society's Commemorative Medal.[22]

Presidents

Asteroid (4162) SAF

French astronomer André Patry of the Observatoire de Nice named Asteroid (4162) SAF in the society's honor after he discovered the body on 24 November 1940.[32]

See also

List of astronomical societies

References
  1. "The Directory", International Astronomical Union, accessed 3 August 2019.
  2. Chant, C. A. "The Golden Jubilee of the French Astronomical Society." Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (September 1938) Vol. 32, p. 322.
  3. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, 1937, pp. 2-6
  4. Ferlet R. (2003) "The Société Astronomique de France in the Astronomical Landscape: Evolution and Prospects." In: Organizations and Strategies in Astronomy. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 296. Springer, Dordrecht.
  5. SAF Statutes, First Article, in L'Astronomie, revue mensuelle d'astronomie populaire, 1888, 1.
  6. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, 1900, p. 1.
  7. Astronomie et Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, 1966, volume 80, p. 284.
  8. L'Astronomie, Vol. 89, p.388.
  9. Bibliothèque nationale de France catalogue entry
  10. "Commissions", SAF web site, accessed 3 August 2019.
  11. "Le grand rendez-vous des passionnés de l'astronomie" (in French). ledauphine.com. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  12. "Fonds de la Société astronomique de France (SAF)", Réseau national des Bibliothèques de Mathématiques (online). Published 8 November 2017, consulted 25 March 2018.
  13. l'Astronomie, Vol. 93, 1979, pp. 543-546.
  14. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, 1937, unpaginated, first after p. 611
  15. l'Astronomie, 1957, Vol. 71, pp. 446-447.
  16. L'Astronomie, 1979, vol. 93, p. 543.
  17. l'Astronomie, Vol. 111, 1997, p. 23.
  18. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, January 1928, pp. 347-348.
  19. L'Astronomie, 1971, Vol. 85, p.179
  20. L’Astronomie, 1887, p. 24.
  21. L’Astronomie, 1901, pp. 404-6.
  22. L’Astronomie, 1905, p. 478-9.
  23. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, 1911, vol. 25, pp. 581-586
  24. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, November 1937, plates X-IX
  25. Tardi, P. Le Général Georges Perrier (1872–1946). Annales Francaises de Chronometrie, 1946, vol. 16, pp. 139-143.
  26. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, January-February-March 1945, i.
  27. Bulletin de la Société astronomique de France, January 1939, 301.
  28. Fehrenbach, C. "Un grand astronome : André Danjon." L'Astronomie, 1967, Vol. 81, p. 328.
  29. Rösch, J. ,"Lucien d'Azambuja (1884 1970)." Solar Physics, Vol. 15, Issue 2, pp. 261-264.
  30. De Broglie, L. "Notice historique sur Albert Pérard." 11 December 1967, Institut de France, Académie des sciences.
  31. International Astronomical Union member directory
  32. Minor Planet Center

Web sites of SAF commissions
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