David J. Stevenson
David J. Stevenson (born September 2, 1948 in New Zealand ) is a New Zealand planetologist .
Life and accomplishments
Stevenson graduated from Victoria University in New Zealand in 1972. He received his PhD from Cornell University in 1976 .
Stevenson is Professor of Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the United States . He made numerous contributions to the physics of planets and large moons, in particular to the formation and development of the Earth's moon , the thermal development of Mars , the nuclear formation and dynamo theory of planets, the dynamics of oceans on Jupiter's moons and the dynamics of melts in the Earth's interior.
In 2003 he attracted attention through an article in Nature , in which he proposed a method for exploring the interior of the earth, with which one (as opposed to conventional deep drilling ) could reach a very great depth. After that, a large amount of molten iron would sink to the core of the earth due to its high temperature and density and carry a probe with it.
Stevenson received the Harold C. Urey Prize of the American Astronomical Society in 1984 . He is a member of the Royal Society and, since 2004, of the National Academy of Sciences . The asteroid (5211) Stevenson is named after him.
Web links
- DJ Stevensons CV Californica Institute of Technology - (accessed July 20, 2009) - (English)
- Telepolis article about the earth core project
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Stevenson, David J. |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | New Zealand planetologist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 2, 1948 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New Zealand |