Bruce William Hapke
Encyclopedia
Bruce Hapke is a noted American planetary scientist
. An expert in bidirectional reflectance spectroscopy, Hapke has been described as the father of planetary remote sensing
.
in 1953 in physics
. He was awarded his Ph. D. in engineering physics
from Cornell University
in 1962. Hapke was a Research Associate at the Center for Radiophysics and Space Research at Cornell University from 1960-1967. In 1967, he became a professor in the Department of Geology and Planetary Science at the University of Pittsburgh
. In the course of his long and distinguished career, Hapke has taken part in Mariner 10
, Viking
and Apollo
missions. He is a past Chairman of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society
. Dr. Hapke is currently a professor emeritus
at the University of Pittsburgh
.
Planetary science
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets , moons, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation,...
. An expert in bidirectional reflectance spectroscopy, Hapke has been described as the father of planetary remote sensing
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
.
Career
Hapke earned his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1953 in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
. He was awarded his Ph. D. in engineering physics
Engineering physics
Engineering physics is the study of the combined disciplines of physics, engineering and mathematics in order to develop an understanding of the interrelationships of these three disciplines. Fundamental physics is combined with problem solving and engineering skills, which then has broad...
from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1962. Hapke was a Research Associate at the Center for Radiophysics and Space Research at Cornell University from 1960-1967. In 1967, he became a professor in the Department of Geology and Planetary Science at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
. In the course of his long and distinguished career, Hapke has taken part in Mariner 10
Mariner 10
Mariner 10 was an American robotic space probe launched by NASA on November 3, 1973, to fly by the planets Mercury and Venus. It was launched approximately two years after Mariner 9 and was the last spacecraft in the Mariner program...
, Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
and Apollo
Project Apollo
The Apollo program was the spaceflight effort carried out by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration , that landed the first humans on Earth's Moon. Conceived during the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Apollo began in earnest after President John F...
missions. He is a past Chairman of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
. Dr. Hapke is currently a professor emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
.
Awards and honors
- The mineral HapkeiteHapkeiteHapkeite is a mineral discovered in the Dhofar 280 meteorite found in 2000 in Oman on the Arabian peninsula. The meteorite is believed to originate from the Moon; specifically, it appears to be a fragment of lunar highland breccia. Hapkeite's composition is of silicon and iron, and it is similar to...
, a recently discovered lunar mineral was named in his honor - Asteroid 3549 Hapke3549 Hapke3549 Hapke is a main-belt asteroid discovered on December 30, 1981 by Bowell, E. at Flagstaff .- External links :*...
- Awarded the Kuiper Prize in 2001, the most distinguished award given by the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences
- Fellow of the American Geophysical UnionAmerican Geophysical UnionThe American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists, consisting of over 50,000 members from over 135 countries. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics...