Scientist Michal Švanda wins Littera Astronomica award for popularising astronomy

Astrophysicist and author Michal Švanda has won the Littera Astronomica award for the popularisation of astronomy. Laureates usually receive the prize awarded by the Czech Astronomical Society ČAS at the autumn book fair in Havlíčkův Brod, but the event has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Švanda works in the Solar Department of the Academy of Sciences of the Academy of Sciences in Ondřejov and at the Astronomical Institute of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University.

The 40-year-old scientist researches the dynamics of phenomena on the Sun and its effects on Earth. He said in a pre-recorded acceptance speech that he considers it part of every scientists’ mission to explain their work to the public using everyday language.

Author: Brian Kenety