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Tom GehrelsAmerican astronomer, professor of astronomy and planetary sciences
Date of Birth: 21.02.1925
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
- Thomas Gehrels: Pioneer in Asteroid and Comet Discoveries
- Photometric Search for Asteroids
- Collaboration with Van Houten Trio
- Comet Discoveries
- Pioneer Photopolarimeter Experiments
- Educational and Outreach Contributions
- Legacy
Thomas Gehrels: Pioneer in Asteroid and Comet Discoveries
Early Life and CareerThomas Gehrels was an American astronomer born in 1925 in Buitenpost, the Netherlands. His interest in astronomy ignited at a young age, and he pursued higher education at Leiden University. After completing his studies, Gehrels moved to the United States and joined the astronomy faculty at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Photometric Search for Asteroids
In the 1950s, Gehrels became a pioneer in using photometry to search for asteroids. He developed a system that allowed him to detect asteroids based on their varying brightness over time. By observing the sky with the 48-inch Schmidt telescope at Palomar Observatory, he made numerous asteroid discoveries.
Collaboration with Van Houten Trio
Gehrels collaborated with Dutch astronomers Cornelis Johannes van Houten and Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld in the 1960s. Together, they used Gehrels' photometric data to identify over 4,000 asteroids, including Apollos, Amors, and Trojans. Their discoveries were instrumental in expanding our knowledge of the asteroid belt and its dynamics.
Comet Discoveries
In addition to asteroids, Gehrels also discovered numerous comets. He was an active observer and developed techniques for detecting comets based on their brightness and motion. His comet discoveries contributed to our understanding of the formation and evolution of the Solar System.
Pioneer Photopolarimeter Experiments
Gehrels played a key role as the principal scientist for the Photopolarimeter experiments aboard the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 spacecraft. These missions provided the first detailed images of Jupiter and Saturn, and Gehrels' photopolarimeter provided valuable data on the planets' atmospheres and magnetic fields.
Educational and Outreach Contributions
Throughout his career, Gehrels was an influential educator and advocate for astronomy. He authored several textbooks on space exploration and served as the editor-in-chief of the University of Arizona's first 30 volumes of its newspaper. He also founded and directed the Spacewatch program, a groundbreaking electronic survey for comets and asteroids.
Legacy
Thomas Gehrels left an indelible mark on the field of astronomy. His pioneering work in asteroid and comet discoveries, as well as his contributions to space exploration and education, earned him widespread recognition. Asteroid (1777) Gehrels was named in his honor to commemorate his legacy.
