Ed Krupp
Encyclopedia
Edwin C. Krupp is an American
astronomer
and author. He has been the director of the Griffith Observatory
in Los Angeles
for over thirty years, since first taking over the position in 1974 from his predecessor, William J. Kaufmann III.
and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
. In particular, Krupp is noted for his specialist contributions and investigations in the field of archaeoastronomy
on which he has written widely, including such books as In Search of Ancient Astronomies (1977) and Archaeoastronomy and the Roots of Science (1984).
Krupp hosted the astronomy educational series "Project Universe" on the American PBS channel in the late 1970s.
from UCLA, a Master's degree
in 1968 and a PhD
in 1972; his PhD advisor was George Abell
. He received a bachelor's degree in physics and astronomy from Pomona College
in 1966.
Krupp was a student in 1961 at the Summer Science Program
. At that time, Abell was Academic Director of the program, which teaches astronomy to high school students. Krupp has remained active with SSP as the head teaching assistant from 1968 to 1972 and as a frequent guest lecturer. He stated of the program:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
and author. He has been the director of the Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is in Los Angeles, California, United States. Sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in L.A.'s Griffith Park, it commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
for over thirty years, since first taking over the position in 1974 from his predecessor, William J. Kaufmann III.
Career
Krupp is known for his extensive publications on astronomical and science education topics and his promotion of astronomy to the general public via his books, columns, appearances in visual media and through the science communication programs at the observatory. Several of his books have won notable awards from institutions such as the American Institute of PhysicsAmerican Institute of Physics
The American Institute of Physics promotes science, the profession of physics, publishes physics journals, and produces publications for scientific and engineering societies. The AIP is made up of various member societies...
and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...
. In particular, Krupp is noted for his specialist contributions and investigations in the field of archaeoastronomy
Archaeoastronomy
Archaeoastronomy is the study of how people in the past "have understood the phenomena in the sky how they used phenomena in the sky and what role the sky played in their cultures." Clive Ruggles argues it is misleading to consider archaeoastronomy to be the study of ancient astronomy, as modern...
on which he has written widely, including such books as In Search of Ancient Astronomies (1977) and Archaeoastronomy and the Roots of Science (1984).
Krupp hosted the astronomy educational series "Project Universe" on the American PBS channel in the late 1970s.
Education
He received his degrees in astronomyAstronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
from UCLA, a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in 1968 and a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1972; his PhD advisor was George Abell
George Ogden Abell
George Ogden Abell was an astronomer at UCLA. He worked as a research astronomer, teacher, administrator, popularizer of science and education, and skeptic. Abell received his B.S. , M.S. and Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology...
. He received a bachelor's degree in physics and astronomy from Pomona College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
in 1966.
Krupp was a student in 1961 at the Summer Science Program
Summer Science Program
The Summer Science Program is an intense six-week summer program for intellectually talented high school students. The program is based on a collaborative research project in celestial mechanics. Students study astronomy, physics, spherical trigonometry, and calculus while working to take...
. At that time, Abell was Academic Director of the program, which teaches astronomy to high school students. Krupp has remained active with SSP as the head teaching assistant from 1968 to 1972 and as a frequent guest lecturer. He stated of the program: