Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal 2026 for Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson is Professor of Earth and Planetary Magnetism at D-EAPS. His instrumental work in the field of geomagnetism led to the creation of a model which has been used by "virtually every study of the historical magnetic field of the last 20 years". In receiving the Society's highest honour - which dates back 200 years - he joins the likes of Stephen Hawking, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Albert Einstein and Edwin Hubble.
“I'm immensely grateful to the RAS for the award of the Gold Medal. It has been a long passion of mine to attempt to understand the deep Earth, and it is rewarding to see its significance recognised by the RAS.”Andrew Jackson
"I am privileged to have been able to work with so many young, talented collaborators along the way, without whom much of the work would not have been accomplished."
Each year the Royal Astronomical Society recognises significant achievement in the fields of astronomy and geophysics through a number of awards, medals and prizes, encompassing different types of talent from research to education and outreach.
English mathematician Charles Babbage and German astronomer Johann Franz Encke were jointly handed the first RAS Gold Medal just over 200 years ago, in 1824.
Since 1964 two have been awarded each year: one for astronomy, and one for geophysics. The medal features an image of the 40-foot telescope constructed by Sir William Herschel, who was the first president of the RAS.