Alexander Dalgarno
Encyclopedia
Alexander Dalgarno is a British physicist
who is Phillips Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University
.
and moved to Harvard in 1967. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
.
He has made contributions in theoretical chemistry
, scattering theory
, atmospheric physics
& chemistry
and astrophysics
.
Known as the "father of molecular astrophysics," Dalgarno is also a physicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
and was formerly the editor of the Astrophysical Journal Letters. He received his education at University College, London, earning a Ph.D.
in theoretical physics
in 1951. From 1951 through 1967, he rose from assistant lecturer to professor at Queen's University, Belfast, and then joined the Harvard department of astronomy in 1967.
He has held the positions of acting director of Harvard College Observatory
, chairman of the department of astronomy, associate director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and director of the Institute for Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Physics. Dalgarno's research covers three main areas: theoretical atomic and molecular physics, astrophysics and aeronomy (the study of the upper atmosphere). He is author of more than 600 publications. Sir David Bates
wrote in 1988 that "There is no greater figure than Alex in the history of atomic physics and its applications." In the 1950s, he laid the foundations for long-range atomic interaction studies which are of critical importance for today's interest in Bose-Einstein condensates.
His work has been recognized by many awards, including the prize of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences, the Davisson-Germer Prize of the American Physical Society
, the Meggers Award of the Optical Society of America and the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American Physical Society and a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In 1998, Asteroid 6941
was named Asteroid Dalgarno.
Dalgarno is also cited in the Nebula Award
winning novel The Quantum Rose
by Catherine Asaro
, a science fiction novel based on Asaro's doctoral work while she was a Ph.D student with Dalgarno.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
who is Phillips Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Biography
He was educated in mathematics and atomic physics at University College, London. He was an academic at the Queen's University of BelfastQueen's University of Belfast
Queen's University Belfast is a public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The university's official title, per its charter, is the Queen's University of Belfast. It is often referred to simply as Queen's, or by the abbreviation QUB...
and moved to Harvard in 1967. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science
The International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science is an international scientific learned society covering all applications of quantum theory to chemistry and chemical physics. It was created in Menton in 1967. The founding members were Raymond Daudel, Per-Olov Löwdin, Robert G. Parr, John...
.
He has made contributions in theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry seeks to provide theories that explain chemical observations. Often, it uses mathematical and computational methods that, at times, require advanced knowledge. Quantum chemistry, the application of quantum mechanics to the understanding of valency, is a major component of...
, scattering theory
Scattering theory
In mathematics and physics, scattering theory is a framework for studying and understanding the scattering of waves and particles. Prosaically, wave scattering corresponds to the collision and scattering of a wave with some material object, for instance sunlight scattered by rain drops to form a...
, atmospheric physics
Atmospheric physics
Atmospheric physics is the application of physics to the study of the atmosphere. Atmospheric physicists attempt to model Earth's atmosphere and the atmospheres of the other planets using fluid flow equations, chemical models, radiation balancing, and energy transfer processes in the atmosphere...
& chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry is a branch of atmospheric science in which the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere and that of other planets is studied. It is a multidisciplinary field of research and draws on environmental chemistry, physics, meteorology, computer modeling, oceanography, geology and...
and astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
.
Known as the "father of molecular astrophysics," Dalgarno is also a physicist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is a research institute of the Smithsonian Institution headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it is joined with the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics .-History:The SAO was founded in 1890 by...
and was formerly the editor of the Astrophysical Journal Letters. He received his education at University College, London, earning a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
in 1951. From 1951 through 1967, he rose from assistant lecturer to professor at Queen's University, Belfast, and then joined the Harvard department of astronomy in 1967.
He has held the positions of acting director of Harvard College Observatory
Harvard College Observatory
The Harvard College Observatory is an institution managing a complex of buildings and multiple instruments used for astronomical research by the Harvard University Department of Astronomy. It is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and was founded in 1839...
, chairman of the department of astronomy, associate director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and director of the Institute for Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Physics. Dalgarno's research covers three main areas: theoretical atomic and molecular physics, astrophysics and aeronomy (the study of the upper atmosphere). He is author of more than 600 publications. Sir David Bates
David Bates (physicist)
Sir David Robert Bates, FRS was an Irish mathematician and physicist.Born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, he moved to Belfast with his family in 1925, attending the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. He enrolled with the Queen's University of Belfast in 1934...
wrote in 1988 that "There is no greater figure than Alex in the history of atomic physics and its applications." In the 1950s, he laid the foundations for long-range atomic interaction studies which are of critical importance for today's interest in Bose-Einstein condensates.
His work has been recognized by many awards, including the prize of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences, the Davisson-Germer Prize of the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
, the Meggers Award of the Optical Society of America and the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
-History:In the early years, more than one medal was often awarded in a year, but by 1833 only one medal was being awarded per year. This caused a problem when Neptune was discovered in 1846, because many felt an award should jointly be made to John Couch Adams and Urbain Le Verrier...
. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American Physical Society and a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In 1998, Asteroid 6941
6941 Dalgarno
6941 Dalgarno is a main-belt asteroid discovered on December 16, 1976 at Harvard Observatory. It is named for the astronomer Alexander Dalgarno.- External links :*...
was named Asteroid Dalgarno.
Dalgarno is also cited in the Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
winning novel The Quantum Rose
The Quantum Rose
The Quantum Rose is a 2000 science fiction novel by Catherine Asaro which tells the story of Kamoj Argali and Skolian Prince Havyrl Valdoria. The book is set in her Saga of the Skolian Empire. It won the 2002 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 2001 Affaire de Coeur Award for Best Science Fiction...
by Catherine Asaro
Catherine Asaro
Catherine Asaro is an American science fiction and fantasy author. She is best known for her books about the Ruby Dynasty, called the Saga of the Skolian Empire.- Biography :...
, a science fiction novel based on Asaro's doctoral work while she was a Ph.D student with Dalgarno.
External links
- http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/hco/astro/people/homepages/dalgarno.html