Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Minister congratulates winner of Crafoord Prize in Astronomy


Hon Steven Joyce
Minister of Science and Innovation

27 May 2016

Media Statement

Minister congratulates winner of Crafoord Prize in Astronomy

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated Emeritus Professor Roy Kerr of the University of Canterbury on receiving the Crafoord Prize in Astronomy, awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

“The strength of New Zealand’s science system and the international reputation of its scientists has been highlighted by the announcement that Professor Kerr is one of this year’s two recipients of the Crafoord Prize,” says Mr Joyce. “I am pleased to congratulate Professor Kerr on this magnificent award.”

“Professor Kerr’s development in 1963 of the exact solution to Einstein’s equations that describes rotating black holes sparked a revolution in physics.

“The recent discovery of gravitational waves, long predicted by Einstein, was made possible by Professor Kerr's solution. A signal emitted 1.3 billion years ago by the collision of two black holes in a distant galaxy was captured by astronomers. Physicists use supercomputers now to model such collisions but, without Kerr's pen and paper solution over 50 years ago, that modelling would be impossible.”

The Crafoord Prize in Astronomy is awarded every four years to worthy scientists. The prize was awarded to Professor Kerr and co-winner Professor Roger Blandford from Stanford University by His Majesty the King of Sweden overnight NZ time, on 26 May 2016.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Crafoord Prize

The Crafoord Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences annually according to a rotating scheme. The total amount of SEK 6 million makes the Crafoord Prize one of the world´s richest scientific prizes awarded.

Anna-Greta and Holger Crafoord´s Fund was established in 1980 and the first prize was awarded in 1982. The prize is intended to promote international basic research in the following disciplines:

• Astronomy and Mathematics
• Geosciences
• Biosciences, with particular emphasis on ecology
• Polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis)

These disciplines are chosen to complement those for which the Nobel Prizes are awarded. The prizes are awarded in set rotational timing:

• Year 1 Astronomy and Mathematics
• Year 2 Geosciences
• Year 3 Biosciences
• Year 4 Polyarthritis

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.