Richard Hoover is the 2009 recipient of the Gold Medal of the Society in recognition of his work in X-ray and EUV optics, ranging from microscopes to telescopes. His famous full-disk images of the sun in the X-ray and EUV wavelengths are among his many innovative advances for that field. In addition, his interest in the origins of life has led to his long chairmanship of the cross-disciplinary Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology conference. This award is also given in recognition of his extraordinary dedication and service to optics and to SPIE.
