Lyman Spitzer American physicist and astronomer. Date of Birth: 26.06.1914 Country: USA

Content:

1. Early Life and Education
2. Academic Career
3. 1946-1947: Professor of Astronomy at Yale University
4. Research and Contributions
5. Plasma Physics
6. Astrophysics of Interstellar Medium and Stellar Atmospheres
7. Cosmology
8. Space Exploration
9. Awards and Honors

Early Life and Education

Born: June 26, 1914, Toledo, Ohio, USA

Lyman Spitzer, Jr. was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 26, 1914. He graduated from Yale University in 1935 and went on to pursue further studies at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and Princeton University in the United States.

Academic Career

1938-1947: Harvard University and Yale University

In 1938-1939, Spitzer worked at Harvard University. From 1939-1942, he taught astronomy and physics at Yale University.

1946-1947: Professor of Astronomy at Yale University

During the Second World War, Spitzer conducted military research at Columbia University. He became a Professor of Astronomy at Yale University in 1946-1947.

Research and Contributions

1947 onwards: Princeton University

In 1947, Spitzer became a Professor of Astronomy and the Director of the Observatory at Princeton University. From 1953-1966, he led the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton.

Plasma Physics

Spitzer's early work focused on plasma physics, particularly in stellar atmospheres. He developed the theory of non-coherent light scattering and investigated the expansion of spectral lines with increasing gas pressure.

Astrophysics of Interstellar Medium and Stellar Atmospheres

Spitzer made significant contributions to the astrophysics of the interstellar medium and stellar atmospheres. He analyzed the physical conditions in the atmospheres of supergiant stars and demonstrated the existence of stellar winds.

Cosmology

Spitzer challenged the tidal hypothesis of the formation of the Solar System. He also investigated the evolution of star clusters and determined the equilibrium temperatures in interstellar clouds of ionized and neutral hydrogen.

Space Exploration

Initiator of Hubble Space Telescope

Spitzer played a pivotal role in the development of astronomical research using space-based observatories. He initiated the creation of the first orbiting astronomical observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope.

Awards and Honors

- Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1978)
- National Medal of Science (1980)
- Bruce Medal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (1973)
Death and Legacy
Died: March 31, 1997, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Lyman Spitzer died in Princeton, New Jersey on March 31, 1997. He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential astrophysicists of the 20th century.

Physics

Yakov Zeldovich	Eliyahu Goldratt	Matvey Bronstein
Vsevolod Frederiks	Viktor Ambartsumian	Arpad Elo