2011 IOTA Conference IOTA Annual Meeting July 16-17, 2011 Sierra College, Rocklin, California USA

Homer F. DaBoll 2010 Award IOTA Annual Meeting July 16-17, 2011 Sierra College, Rocklin, California USA

Background Concept of Award defined at the 2006 IOTA meeting (Delaware): To recognize significant contributions to occultation science and to the work of the IOTA Name honors Homer F. DaBoll (1920 – 1990) –Organizer of grazing occultation expeditions in Midwest USA beginning in late 1960s –Suggested the name International Occultation Timing Association –Founding officer of IOTA 1975 (secretary/treasurer) –First editor of Occultation Newsletter, from 1974 through 1990 Previous awardees (2007) Dave Herald, (2008) Edwin Goffin, (2009) Steve Preston, (2010) Hristo Pavlov

2011 Award Selection Nominations were solicited in early June Award committee formed from volunteers –Dave Herald, NSW, Australia (recipient 2007 award) –Edwin Goffin, Belgium (recipient 2008 award) –Steve Preston, USA (recipient 2009 award) –Hristo Pavlov, Australia (recipient 2010 award) –Colin Haig, Ontario, Canada –Robert Buchheim, California, USA –Terrence Redding, Florida, USA (chairman) Award committee goals: –select recipient of 2011 Homer DaBoll award

Eligibility (current) Who is eligible for the award? Anyone who has made significant contribution to occultation science or the work of the IOTA Excluding sitting IOTA officers & award committee IOTA membership not required Who can make Nominations? No defined restrictions at this time Call for Nominations made via Yahoo group effectively restricts nominators to active occultation community

Deliberations Total of 14 nominations received, from 8 nominators –All were excellent candidates All communication conducted by –private to the committee –independent of IOTA officers Approach was discussion to reach a consensus (not majority voting), considering: –Documentation provided with nominations –Experience & personal knowledge of the candidates contributions.

Deliberations, cont. Past giants in the field –Separate award or alternate years What it means to be an international (global) award –Geographical distribution –Language and communication modes Objective criteria for making the choice –Recognize those that make significant contributions to occultation science and to the work of IOTA –IOTA mission –IOTA objectives –IOTA goals

IOTA Mission and Goals MISSION STATEMENT To encourage and facilitate the observation of occultations and eclipses We provide predictions for grazing occultations of stars by the Moon and predictions for occultations of stars by asteroids and planets We also provide information on observing equipment and techniques, and we report to our members about observations made IOTA GOALS AND OBJECTIVES To promote scientific research and discovery using occultation related methods To conduct research at the local, regional and international level and to publish results of studies in popular and scientific journals To stimulate public awareness of phenomena such as eclipses and occultations To improve lunar profile data through timing of grazing and total occultations To determine shapes and sizes of minor planets and comets through timing of occultations of stars by these objects

Scotty Degenhardt 2011 DaBoll Award Recipient

Scottys Occultation Record in Occult , one event, three chords 2008, twelve events, 40 chords 2009, twelve events, 50 chords Mighty-Mini, Mighty-Maxi, Deployment planning – site selection Deployment execution – stamp and run

Committee Thoughts Award Committee was effective –Nominees considered against IOTA mission and goals Work of the 2011 awards committee was excellent –While consensus was not sought, it was achieved Cycle time was OK, but process should start earlier –Call for nominations was made ~6 weeks before meeting Items we discussed but shelved –How do we ensure other continent deserving individuals are considered? –Should there be categories, or other awards? –Should we make an effort to recognize those who contributed the most in the early years of IOTA?