Horkheimer/Parker Youth Imaging Award
Offered by Astronomical League
About This Scholarship
The Horkheimer/Parker Youth Imaging Award is the Astronomical League's annual astrophotography prize for members under 19, honoring Dr. Don Parker, the celebrated planetary imager and Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers director. First place receives a $1,000 check and plaque, second place $500, and third place $250 — real money for a single astronomical image.
The rules reward genuine skill at the eyepiece rather than software access: the image must have been taken by the nominee within the past year, remote or online telescopes are not allowed, and each entrant may submit only one image in high-resolution JPEG format. Winning images may appear in the League's Reflector magazine, on its website, and in promotional materials.
Entry requires Astronomical League membership (through a member society or member-at-large status) and a sponsor who is a League regional officer or an officer of a member society. The completed entry form, the image, and a photo of the nominee go to the League by the March 31 deadline each year.
Eligibility
- Astronomical League member under age 19 at the time of nomination
- Image must have been taken by the nominee within the past year — no online/remote telescopes
- One image per nominee, submitted as a high-resolution JPEG
- Nominating sponsor must be an Astronomical League regional officer or a member society officer
How To Apply
- Download the Horkheimer/Parker entry form from the League's youth awards page
- Select one astronomical image you captured in the past year and export it as a high-resolution JPEG
- Have a League regional or society officer sponsor the entry, and include a JPEG photo of yourself (preferably in an astronomical setting)
- Email the completed form and images to [email protected] by March 31
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the prizes?
First place receives a $1,000 check and plaque, second place a $500 check, and third place a $250 check. Winning images may be published in the League's Reflector magazine and on its website.
Can I use a remote telescope service for my image?
No. The rules require the image to have been captured by the nominee within the past year, and images taken with an online telescope are not eligible.
How do I become an Astronomical League member?
Most members join automatically through a local astronomical society that belongs to the League; students without a nearby club can join as a member-at-large through astroleague.org.