John Paul Wild
John Paul Wild (born May 17, 1923 in Sheffield , † May 10, 2008 in Canberra ), also called Paul Wild , was a British-born Australian astronomer and science manager. He was a pioneer in radio astronomy .
Wild received his academic training in mathematics and physics from Cambridge University . During World War II he was a radar officer in the British Navy. In 1947 he joined the Australian science organization CSIRO , in which he rose to head of the Department of Radiophysics (1971–1977) and chairman of the CSIRO (1978–1985). His scientific interest was radio astronomy and solar physics. He was one of the first to systematically use the new radio technology to study the sun and its influence on the interplanetary medium after the Second World War. From 1967 to 1970 he headed the Radio Astronomy Commission of the International Astronomical Union . In 1970 he was elected a member ( Fellow ) of the Royal Society .
Awards
- 1961 member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 1962 member of the American Philosophical Society
- 1973 Karl G. Jansky Lecture
- 1974 Herschel Medal
- 1980 Royal Medal
- 1978 Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- 1986 Companion of the Order of Australia
Web links
- JP Wild publications in the Astrophysics Data System
- Biographical material on 'Bright Sparcs'
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation feature on Wild's study of the sun
- Entry on Wild, John Paul (1923-2008) in the Archives of the Royal Society , London
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Wild, John Paul |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Wild, Paul |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Australian radio astronomer and science manager |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 17, 1923 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Sheffield |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 10, 2008 |
| Place of death | Canberra |