Warwick student awarded prestigious Young Astronomer Award

A second-year Physics student at Warwick University, Thomas Killestein, has been awarded the prestigious 2016 Sir Patrick Moore Prize for his contribution to astronomy.

He was presented the prize at a meeting of the British Astronomical Association (BAA) in London, at the end of January 2017.

The Prize was made in memory of one of the BAA’s most celebrated members, Sir Patrick Moore, who was an enthusiast and promoter of astronomy throughout his life. It is one of the most recently introduced of the BAA’s awards, and consists of £250 and a certificate.

It can be awarded for various areas of astronomical contribution, including: encouragement of public interest in astronomy, or youngsters’ engagement with observational astronomy, outstanding astronomical work by a member of under 21 years of age, or contribution to understanding of astronomical history. It may also be awarded for collaborative research projects.

Thomas’ contribution to astronomy includes images of the moon and the North America Nebula, that have featured in Sky Notes presentations, and a set of impressive photos of the transit of Mercury, the Orion Nebula, and the September 2015 lunar eclipse.

He explained that his interest in the subject began at an early age, when he was inspired by Patrick Moore on BBC’s Sky at Night, and later peaked when he received his first telegraph aged 15.

Thomas is currently Director of Projects at Warwick University’s Astronomy society, AstroSoc, and a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Astronomical Society.

One of his main concerns is promoting outreach on campus, and visiting schools to introduce astronomy to young people. He regularly leads weekly observing sessions on campus, in addition to workshops on the basics of astronomy, and technical content such as astrophotography and photometry.

He stated: “I find the dynamics behind variable stars fascinating, and I think the role amateur astronomers play in these areas is amazing.”