Congratulation to Prof. Tsevi Mazeh for receiving the Israel Prize in the field of physics research for 2024

Prof. Zvi Mazeh has been researching planets outside the solar system since 1984, when the idea of ​​looking for extrasolar planets was then considered esoteric, even bordering on science fiction. He was one of the few who appreciated that it was possible that giant planets could be found very close to their parent stars. Throughout his research career, Zvi Mazeh led the development of computational methods and advanced research tools for double stars and extrasolar planets.

The award committee stated in its reasoning that Professor Mazeh's methodological synthesis led to the discovery of extrasolar planets while developing flattening analysis, which became standard methods in the field. The committee also stated in its reasoning that these achievements give Professor Mazeh worldwide recognition as one of the founding fathers of the field of extrasolar planets, which is at the forefront of global research in astrophysics.