Physics & Astronomy professor Dr. Lynn Cominsky, who has taught at Sonoma State University for more than 30 years, has been recognized by the American Astronomical Society as one of the central historical figures within her industry. The Americans Astronomical Society, the foremost organization for professional astronomers in North America, has named Cominsky as part of its inaugural class of Legacy Fellows for her extraordinary achievements in the field.
Cominsky is one of 200 fellows recognized by the society, which includes past, distinguished AAS elected leaders, volunteer committee members and previously unrecognized individuals with long histories of outstanding research and mentoring. In 2016, Cominsky received the society’s Education Prize for her long-standing leadership of the Sonoma State University Education and Public Outreach Group.
“When I first looked at the list of fellows, I knew at least half of them,” said Cominsky, who has been a member of the AAS for more than 40 years. “Some of them are Nobel Prize winners and to be recognized among them feels really good.”
According to the society, no more than 0.5 percent of the 7,700 current full members have been included in the Legacy Fellows program. Fellows are recognized for “original research and publication, innovative contributions to astronomical techniques or instrumentation, significant contributions to education and public outreach, and noteworthy service to astronomy and to the Society itself.”