James Elliot 1943-2011

James ElliotJames L. Elliot, Professor of Planetary Astronomy and Physics at MIT, has passed away Wednesday night March 2, 2011. Jim was one of the pioneers in using stellar occultations to probe planetary atmospheres and the physical properties of small bodies in the outer solar system and beyond. Among his accomplishments are the discoveries of the ring system of Uranus and the atmosphere of Pluto. He received his undergraduate degree from MIT in 1965 and his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1972. Before returning to MIT in 1978, he was a postdoc and faculty member in the Astronomy Department of Cornell University. Jim was a wonderful mentor and teacher, and was especially supportive of women in astronomy. We will miss him deeply.