David Todd Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
David Todd Wilkinson was a world-renowned pioneer in the field of cosmology
, specializing in the study of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB
) left over from the Big Bang
. He was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, and earned his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Michigan
under the supervision of H. Richard Crane.
He was a Professor of Physics at Princeton University
from 1965 until his retirement in 2002. He made fundamental contributions to many major CMB experiments, including two NASA
satellites, the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE
) and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), which was named in his honor after his death due to cancer.
His numerous accolades include the Princeton President's Award for Distinguished Teaching and
the James Craig Watson Medal
(2001).
Physical cosmology
Physical cosmology, as a branch of astronomy, is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of the universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. For most of human history, it was a branch of metaphysics and religion...
, specializing in the study of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB
CMB
CMB can mean:*The IATA airport code for Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo – Sri Lanka's only international airport*C.M.B., the debut album of American R&B and pop group Color Me Badd...
) left over from the Big Bang
Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
. He was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, and earned his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
under the supervision of H. Richard Crane.
He was a Professor of Physics at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
from 1965 until his retirement in 2002. He made fundamental contributions to many major CMB experiments, including two NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
satellites, the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE
COBE
The COsmic Background Explorer , also referred to as Explorer 66, was a satellite dedicated to cosmology. Its goals were to investigate the cosmic microwave background radiation of the universe and provide measurements that would help shape our understanding of the cosmos.This work provided...
) and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), which was named in his honor after his death due to cancer.
His numerous accolades include the Princeton President's Award for Distinguished Teaching and
the James Craig Watson Medal
James Craig Watson Medal
thumb|right|400px|James Craig Watson MedalThe James Craig Watson Medal was established by the bequest of James Craig Watson, and is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for contributions to astronomy.The recipients have been:-External links:*...
(2001).