David Hughes (astronomer)
Encyclopedia
David W. Hughes was a professor of Astronomy
at the University of Sheffield
, where he worked since 1965. Hughes has published over 200 research papers on asteroid
s, comet
s, meteorite
s and meteoroid
s. He has also written on the history of astronomy, the origin of the solar system and the impact threat to planet Earth.
Asteroid 4205 was named in his honor: see Meanings of asteroid names (4001-4500)
.
Hughes has often appeared on TV, most notably with the live coverage of the ESA
Giotto space mission to Halley's Comet
, and with discussions of the Star of Bethlehem.
Hughes also taught Undergraduates at the University of Sheffield, specialising in the History of Astronomy, solar and planetary studies and geophysics, however as of October 2007, he is retired.
Hughes was educated at Mundella School, Nottingham, Birmingham University (1959–1962, where he got a degree in physics) and Oxford University (1962–1965, New College and the University Observatory) where he got a D. Phil in solar astrophysics.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
at the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
, where he worked since 1965. Hughes has published over 200 research papers on asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s, comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
s, meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
s and meteoroid
Meteoroid
A meteoroid is a sand- to boulder-sized particle of debris in the Solar System. The visible path of a meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere is called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star or falling star. If a meteoroid reaches the ground and survives impact, then it is called a meteorite...
s. He has also written on the history of astronomy, the origin of the solar system and the impact threat to planet Earth.
Asteroid 4205 was named in his honor: see Meanings of asteroid names (4001-4500)
Meanings of asteroid names (4001-4500)
-References:...
.
Hughes has often appeared on TV, most notably with the live coverage of the ESA
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
Giotto space mission to Halley's Comet
Comet Halley
Halley's Comet or Comet Halley is the best-known of the short-period comets, and is visible from Earth every 75 to 76 years. Halley is the only short-period comet that is clearly visible to the naked eye from Earth, and thus the only naked-eye comet that might appear twice in a human lifetime...
, and with discussions of the Star of Bethlehem.
Hughes also taught Undergraduates at the University of Sheffield, specialising in the History of Astronomy, solar and planetary studies and geophysics, however as of October 2007, he is retired.
Hughes was educated at Mundella School, Nottingham, Birmingham University (1959–1962, where he got a degree in physics) and Oxford University (1962–1965, New College and the University Observatory) where he got a D. Phil in solar astrophysics.