Tag: Obituary

Dr. Ralph Belknap Baldwin died peacefully on October 23, 2010, at age 98.
Born on June 6, 1912, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in 1934, an M.S. in 1935, and a Ph.D. in Astronomy (Physics) in 1937. He taught astronomy at the Universities of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Northwestern. Baldwin received three honorary degrees, an LLD from Michigan in 1975, an ScD from Grand Valley State University in 1989, and an ScD from Aquinas College in 1999. During World War II he was a Senior Physicist at the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University, helping develop the radio proximity fuze. After the war he returned to Grand Rapids and joined Oliver Machinery Company where he became its President in 1970. Baldwin’s most important work was in astronomy. His studies proved that the craters on the Moon were produced by the impacts of large and small asteroid-like bodies rather than volcanic in origin. Baldwin’s early work culminated in his book, “The Face of the Moon” (1949), which may properly be considered the generating force behind modern research in both terrestrial impact craters and lunar surface features. He followed up his original work with a second book, “The Measure of the Moon” in 1965. Baldwin was a Fellow in the Meteoritical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada made him an Honorary Member.

The French astronomer and aeronaut Audouin Dollfus passed away October 1, 2010 in Versailles, France, at the age of 85. Born November 12, 1924 in Paris and son of an aeronaut, he built his first refracting telescope at the age of 14. Graduated in Mathematical Sciences and Physics, he started his career at the Observatory of Paris-Meudon as a student of astronomer Bernard Lyot. At a time when astronomy was focusing on deep sky, Dollfus turned to the study of the Solar System, and became a worldwide expert on the subject. He created the Laboratory of Solar System Physics at Meudon, studying all planets, with special interest in Mars, Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter. He also contributed to the study of the Sun through the development of a coronagraph that was used by many spacecraft missions. Dollfus led astronomical campaigns both at the Observatory of Meudon and the Pic-du-Midi Observatory. He discovered Janus, 10th satellite of Saturn in 1966, and asteroïd 2451 bears his name. The breadth and reach of his research and his numerous (330) scientific publications allowed him to contribute to many international committees.

His analysis of the Lunar dust using polarimetry allowed him to deduce the basaltic nature of the Lunar soil (1955). As a result, NASA invited him to collaborate to the study of the Apollo 11 landing site and to provide expertise for the design of the astronauts Moonboots. He contributed to the analysis of the Lunar samples returned by the Apollo program and to the studies of the Martian soil in preparation to the Viking mission, which landed in 1976 on Mars. In addition to Apollo, he collaborated with NASA on the Ranger and the Venus Mariner programs, and to the Soviet Mars-5 mission in 1973.

Expert in planetary mapping, he created the International Center for Planetary Photography at Meudon, from which stemmed many maps and nomenclatures, domains that were highly innovating to the time.

Audouin Dollfus was above all a pioneer of space exploration through his practice of astronomy using balloons. Bringing together his two passions of astronomy and balloons, he designed prototypes that allowed him to take a telescope up to 6,000 m (19,700 ft) in the air in a simple nacelle. His most spectacular and famous flight remains that of April 24, 1959, when taking off from Villacoublay near Paris, he reached 14,000 m (45,920 ft), still the French record today, opening the path to the study of astronomy from space. The data he collected during that flight allowed him to infer the existence of water on Mars.

Talented mongolfiere and balloon pilot, he held several world records for flight duration, distance, and altitude in free ballooning. Historian of sciences, historian in aeronautics, and member of the Aero-Club de France, Dollfus was also dedicated to passing on his passion for astronomy and never refused an opportunity to share his enthusiasm through lectures, debates, and talks to astronomy and aeroclubs. He mentored students in astronomy and planetary sciences. Many of them are today directly involved in planetary and space exploration. He was the recipient of many prizes and recognitions and has also written several books.

N. Cabrol and his colleagues at Meudon Observatory

 

The DPS joins the astronomical community in mourning the untimely death of John Huchra, distinguished astronomer and Past President of the AAS, on October 8. John was a friend of the DPS in our time of financial crisis, when he was serving as the AAS President. He will be sorely missed.

From the AAS Informational Email 2010-8:
John was one of those unique astronomers with friends and interests across the whole discipline. He stayed vigorous and active in our field even after suffering a heart attack a few years ago. John was passionate about astronomy and life, full of energy and ideas. He served the Society phenomenally well in his two years as president (and year as president-elect and in his current term as past president). During the same time he served the Society, he served our discipline by working actively on the Decadal Survey Committee. He was always willing to say yes to committee service and always offered sage advice. His research and his AAS and Decadal Survey visions are a legacy for us all. It was an honor and a privilege to work and laugh with him, and we will very much miss his presence at the table of past leaders of our Society. We cannot yet grasp this devastating news, except to know there’s now a great void and a shared profound sadness.