Frank James Low
Frank James Low (born November 23, 1933 in Mobile , Alabama , † June 11, 2009 in Tucson , Arizona ) was an American physicist and astronomer .
Life
Low was born in Mobile, but grew up in Houston ( Texas on). After he had received his Bachelor of Science from Yale University in 1955, he continued his studies at Rice University , where he earned a Master of Arts in 1957 and a doctorate in physics in 1959.
A milestone in astronomy was his invention of the " gallium-doped germanium bolometer " in 1961. With this detector one could make sensitive observations in the field of infrared astronomy at longer wavelengths than before, which led to an expansion of the observations in this area. He made this discovery while working for Texas Instruments , which he soon left. He then advanced the development of the bolometer and related instruments at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory . At the same time he worked first at Rice University and from 1965 at the University of Arizona .
In 1967 he founded Infrared Laboratories, Inc., of which he is also President. Originally founded to manufacture infrared detectors and cryostats , infrared microscopes are now the main product.
With a germanium bolometer cooled by liquid helium, he then undertook his first experiments with a small telescope on a Navy bomber, which was later followed by a 12-inch telescope at the Lear Jet Observatory . It was the birth of flying observatories. The Kuiper Airborne Observatory (1974-1995) and the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (better known under the abbreviation IRAS), 1983, were the next developments in which Low played an important role. He was also involved in the development of instruments for the Spitzer Space Telescope .
In 2006 he was Professor Emeritus at the Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona .
Works (selection)
- Low, FJ, Rieke, GH, Gehrz, RD, "The Beginning of Modern Infrared Astronomy," Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 45, 43-75 (2007)
Honors
- 1968 Helen B. Warner Prize from the American Astronomical Society
- 1974 member of the National Academy of Sciences
- 1986 Rumford Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 1991 member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 2003 Joseph Weber Prize for Astronomical Instrumentation from the American Astronomical Society
- 2006 Bruce Medal from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- 2007 namesake for the asteroid (12142) Franklow
In addition, the Kleinmann Low Nebula, a dust-shrouded star formation region in the Orion Nebula , is named after him and Douglas E. Kleinmann.
Web links
- University of Arizona personal website ( July 5, 2008 memento on Internet Archive )
- New York Times obituary
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Low, Frank James |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American physicist and astronomer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 23, 1933 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Mobile , Alabama , USA |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 11, 2009 |
| Place of death | Tucson , Arizona |