WALTER SCOTT HOUSTON AWARD of the North East Region of the
Astronomical League (NERAL)

In Recognition of his 30 years of dedication and service to amateur and professional astronomy as the editor of the AAVSO Circular,
his “Comet Digest” columns in Sky and Telescope magazine,
his contributions to International Comet Quarterly,
his legacy of work in Astronomy Education, particularly as a lecturer on comets,
his long time fervor for observing over 190,ooo variable stars and more than 350 comets, 
and in particular for his February 2001 article in Sky and Telescope 
introducing the astronomical community to the now famous “Bortle Dark Sky Scale” 
categorizing the degree of light pollution, 
we hereby present this award to

John E. Bortle

Presented this day, August 7, 2010 at Stellafane
In fond remembrance of Deep Sky Observer, 
Science Writer and ATM Historian,
Walter Scott Houston.