James O’Donoghue has won the American Astronomical Society’s 2026 Carl Sagan Medal, one of U.S. astronomy’s most prestigious honours. The University of Reading planetary scientist earned the recognition for educational animations watched more than 400 million times worldwide.
O’Donoghue has produced over 100 space animations since joining the Reading faculty. They span classrooms, newsrooms and social media feeds across the globe. The AAS cited his “unique and impactful” public communication as the basis for the award.
The medal honours Carl Sagan, the American astronomer whose 1980 documentary series Cosmos introduced a generation to the universe.
Why the AAS Called Him Extraordinary
The society described O’Donoghue as an “extraordinarily creative and effective communicator” and a “recognised leader” in planetary science. Few scientists combine serious research credentials with that kind of mass-audience reach.
“He truly exemplifies the spirit of the Sagan Prize through the combination of his unique and impactful communication work with his scientific leadership,” the AAS said.
O’Donoghue contributes regularly to the BBC and PBS in the United States. He also runs the University of Reading’s annual Observe the Moon Night. Hundreds of visitors come to the campus each year for the stargazing event.
“Curiosity Worth Taking Seriously”
For O’Donoghue, science communication and research carry equal weight. “Space is one of the few subjects that almost everyone is curious about, and that curiosity is worth taking seriously,” he said.
“When people understand what’s happening on other planets, it changes how they see our own world. Sharing that science as widely and accessibly as possible is just as important as doing it in the first place.”
Past Sagan Medal winners have covered topics ranging from lunar origins to the hunt for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
Published by Kerry Harrison
Kerry’s been writing professionally for over 14 years, after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University. She joined Orbital Today in 2022. She covers everything from UK launch updates to how the wider space ecosystem is evolving. She enjoys digging into the detail and explaining complex topics in a way that feels straightforward. Before writing about space, Kerry spent years working with cybersecurity companies. She’s written a lot about threat intelligence, data protection, and how cyber and space are increasingly overlapping, whether that’s satellite security or national defence. With a strong background in tech writing, she’s used to making tricky, technical subjects more approachable. That mix of innovation, complexity, and real-world impact is what keeps her interested in the space sector.