Named for Robert J. Brucato, assistant director of the Palomar Observatory. Working with more than a dozen government agencies of the surrounding communities, he has vigorously and effectively led the effort to preserve the dark sky of Palomar. This effort has been crucial for the preservation of Palomar as a front-line astronomical observatory and has been especially important for projects such as the photographic searches for comets and minor planets. Brucato is also in charge of the new ten-year long survey of the northern sky, using the Oschin Schmidt telescope, and has directed the complete refurbishment of this telescope. He has been a strong advocate of all branches of astronomy carried out at Palomar and has helped to maintain it as one of the premier astronomical observatories in the world. (M 18456) _ _.