The Walter H. Haas Observer’s Award is bestowed annually (generally when the ALPO meets in the summer), to an amateur astronomer for excellence in observational Solar System astronomy. This award is named after our founder and original executive director and was established in 1985. The selection of this award is conducted by a committee convened by its committee chairman, Walter H. Haas. The composition of the committee changes from year to year so that the responsibility of selection is shared by a wider group of members in the ALPO that are well qualified, while allowing others that vote one year, to be considered for the award in another year, when not serving on the committee.

This award is given for excellence in Solar System observational amateur astronomy. Work done as part of the observer’s job must be regarded as professional work and is not considered as an amateur effort for this award. However, a professional astronomer can be recognized for work done when he or she was an amateur. Theoretical research, the publishing of papers, astronomical correspondence, financial support of amateur projects, and many other meritorious astronomical activities must likewise be ignored in choosing the awardee (the ALPO does have another award, the Peggy Haas Service Award, which can recognize such outstanding services). The awardee need not be an active observer at the present time, nor does he or she need to be alive. Nor is this award for observations in any particular year or other time interval. Thus the Award in the present year might be for contributions in the 20th Century. There is absolutely no requirement that the awardee be a citizen or resident of the United States. It is enjoyable when the awardee can attend the ALPO Convention at which the presentation is to be made, but this matter is no criterion for the selection of the awardee. It is, however, required that the awardee well represent the ideals of the ALPO..

The Award itself consists of an engraved plaque. The awardee also receives a two-year complimentary membership in the ALPO. 

The previous recipients are listed below in chronological order: