University of Hawaii astronomer Donald N.B. Hall recently was honored for his achievements by the American Astronomical Society.

He received the Joseph Weber Award for instrumentation “;for his innovative contributions to the development of low-noise detectors for observational infrared astronomy that have enabled decades of scientific discoveries.”;

The Australian astronomer guided the growth of astronomy and observatories in Hawaii as UH Institute for Astronomy director from 1977 to 1984.

He returned to research as a faculty member working with a team in Hilo on very large array detectors for infrared astronomy from the ground and in space.

The Hubble Space Telescope's spectacular celestial images are due to technology developed by Institute for Astronomy researchers in Hilo.

A UH-Rockwell Scientific Company team led by Hall also developed advanced infrared detectors selected by NASA for the James Webb Space Telescope that will succeed Hubble.

Hall also is developing concepts for telescopes located with the International Space Station and for other applications, including a sensing array to monitor aircraft traffic over the continental United States.

He founded Euro-Pacific Partners in Quantum Astrophysics while on sabbatical leave in 2008 in Europe focused primarily on applications of quantum astrophysics, “;particularly in the space, communications, security and quantum entangled photon encryption areas.”;