History

Astronomer Prof. Schumacher of Altona founded this Medal to encourage astronomers, and foster the study comets and astronomy.

This Medal was conferred upon individuals for spotting a comet that was not visible by the naked eye. Only a single recipient was recognized at a time. If two individuals identified a comet on the same night, Prof. Schumacher would judge who saw it first, or if they were different comets.

The Medal was awarded six months after seeing the comet, and the comet's trajectory was also calculated.

In order to continuously encourage scientists to study astronomy, individuals were eligible to receive this Medal multiple times.

Women were also eligible recipients of this award.

It was awarded throughout the reign of King Frederik VI, and King Christian VIII. Thus two obverse designs are known, both with the reigning monarchs truncated bust facing the right.