John L. Climenhaga
Encyclopedia
John Leroy Climenhaga (November 7, 1916 – May 27, 2008) was a Canadian astrophysicist. He was Professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria
, where he taught physics
and astronomy
for more than 30 years, serving also as Head of the Physics Department and Dean of Arts and Science.
, Sask., to Reuben S. Climenhaga, a farmer and Brethren in Christ minister, and Elizabeth Bert Climenhaga, the seventh of their ten children.
After completing his education in community public schools, Climenhaga began attending the University of Saskatchewan
in Saskatoon
in the fall of 1941. At the University of Saskatchewan, he was awarded a B.A. Honours degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1945 and an M.A. in Physics in 1949. In 1949, he joined the faculty of Victoria College
in Victoria, British Columbia
, a precursor institution to the University of Victoria. At Victoria College, he carried a heavy teaching load in Physics. In his early years at Victoria College, he began research in Astronomy at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
(DAO) in Saanich, work that would lead to a M.A. in Astronomy and, in 1960, his PhD from the University of Michigan
in Ann Arbor.
In the late 1950s, Victoria College was undergoing rapid growth and additional faculty members in Physics were hired. Climenhaga was appointed Head of the Physics Department, a position he would hold until 1969. In 1963, Victoria College became the University of Victoria. Climenhaga had been an effective advocate of the college's transition to a university in the years leading up to 1963. In 1969, Climenhaga was appointed the new university's Dean of Arts and Science.
According to Dr. Harry Dosso, a long-time member of the Physics Department, Climenhaga "played a major role in guiding the Physics department into a broad spectrum of research fields." In achieving this goal, Climenhaga took advantage of scientific expertise that already existed in the region, particularly at the DAO and the Pacific Naval Laboratory, which was later renamed the Defence Research Establishment Pacific, Dosso said in an unpublished biography, quoted with permission, on which this article is partly based.
As Head of Physics, Climenhaga campaigned for the creation of a program in Astronomy. In 1965, the program began as an offering of the Physics Department, which later was renamed the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
In the early 1970s, Climenhaga championed the university's participation in TRIUMF, the Tri-University Meson Facility located on the campus of the University of British Columbia
in Vancouver
, B.C. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of WESTAR
, a consortium of universities that tried unsuccessfully to establish a major astrophysical observatory atop Mt. Kobau near Osoyoos, B.C.
During this period, Climenhaga oversaw expansion of the department's research efforts in Geophysics
, Nuclear Physics
, Acoustics
, Gas dynamics
and Theoretical Physics
, as well as Astronomy.
With the Physics Department well established in undergraduate and graduate programs, Climenhaga accepted the position of Dean of Arts and Science in 1969. He held this position until 1972, a turbulent period in the history of the University of Victoria. During this time, Climenhaga remembered with typical understatement in an article published in the University of Victoria "Around the Ring" publication on April 2, 1982, "it was a rather rough time for the university as a lot of energy was devoted to things other than academic work." Dr. Dosso wrote of this period: "His fair minded and consistently honest approach to solving difficult matters served the university community well."
Following his service as an administrator, Climenhaga spent a sabbatical in 1972 and 1973 carrying out research at the University of Tokyo
, the Radcliffe Observatory
in South Africa
and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
, Poland
. He then returned to teaching and research in the department. He continued a research collaboration with Dr. Jan Smolinski of the Institute of Astronomy of the Polish Academy of Sciences begun during his sabbatical year. A significant portion of his research involved the abundance ratio of Carbon 12 and Carbon 13 on cool carbon stars. Other research studied blanketing effects and micro-turbulence of super-giant stars.
Upon retirement in 1982, Climenhaga was honoured with the establishment of a scholarship in his name for a senior student in Astronomy. He was further honoured the same year when the observatory located on the roof of the University of Victoria's Elliott Building, where the Physics Department is located, was named the Climenhaga Observatory.
This recognition was entirely appropriate, Dr. Dosso wrote, because in the 1960 when the building was constructed Climenhaga had persuaded the university to include the observatory although there was no Astronomy program at that time.
For several years after retirement, Climenhaga taught introductory courses in Physics and Astronomy at the university and gave many popular astronomy-related talks in the community. He served as Treasurer of the Canadian Astrophysical Society from 1983 to 1989, and continued his research collaboration with colleagues in Poland and Japan.
On his 70th birthday in 1987, he was honoured by the International Astrophysical Union when it assigned the name Climenhaga to an eight-kilometre asteroid (Minor Planet 3034 Climenhaga
), which orbits the sun between the orbits of Mars
and Jupiter
.
In June 1996, he was granted the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Victoria.
Climenhaga died on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at his home in Victoria, BC.
University of Victoria
The University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
, where he taught 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...
and astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
for more than 30 years, serving also as Head of the Physics Department and Dean of Arts and Science.
Biography
John Leroy Climenhaga was born at DelisleDelisle
-People:*Baron Lisle, any one of a number of Englishmen who held this title*Charles-Marie-René Leconte de Lisle , French poet of the Parnassian movement...
, Sask., to Reuben S. Climenhaga, a farmer and Brethren in Christ minister, and Elizabeth Bert Climenhaga, the seventh of their ten children.
After completing his education in community public schools, Climenhaga began attending the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
in the fall of 1941. At the University of Saskatchewan, he was awarded a B.A. Honours degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1945 and an M.A. in Physics in 1949. In 1949, he joined the faculty of Victoria College
Victoria College
Victoria College is or was the name of several institutions of secondary or higher education, including:* [Victoria College, Chulipuram], Sri Lanka* Victoria College, Alexandria, Egypt* Victoria College in Victoria, Texas...
in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, a precursor institution to the University of Victoria. At Victoria College, he carried a heavy teaching load in Physics. In his early years at Victoria College, he began research in Astronomy at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, located on Observatory Hill, in Saanich, British Columbia, was completed in 1918 by the Canadian government. Proposed and designed by John S...
(DAO) in Saanich, work that would lead to a M.A. in Astronomy and, in 1960, his PhD from 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...
in Ann Arbor.
In the late 1950s, Victoria College was undergoing rapid growth and additional faculty members in Physics were hired. Climenhaga was appointed Head of the Physics Department, a position he would hold until 1969. In 1963, Victoria College became the University of Victoria. Climenhaga had been an effective advocate of the college's transition to a university in the years leading up to 1963. In 1969, Climenhaga was appointed the new university's Dean of Arts and Science.
According to Dr. Harry Dosso, a long-time member of the Physics Department, Climenhaga "played a major role in guiding the Physics department into a broad spectrum of research fields." In achieving this goal, Climenhaga took advantage of scientific expertise that already existed in the region, particularly at the DAO and the Pacific Naval Laboratory, which was later renamed the Defence Research Establishment Pacific, Dosso said in an unpublished biography, quoted with permission, on which this article is partly based.
As Head of Physics, Climenhaga campaigned for the creation of a program in Astronomy. In 1965, the program began as an offering of the Physics Department, which later was renamed the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
In the early 1970s, Climenhaga championed the university's participation in TRIUMF, the Tri-University Meson Facility located on the campus of the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, B.C. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of WESTAR
Westar
Westar was the name for the fleet of geosynchronous communications satellites operating in the C band which were launched by Western Union from 1974 to 1984. There were seven Westar satellites in all, with five of them launched and operating under the Westar name.In many international recognized...
, a consortium of universities that tried unsuccessfully to establish a major astrophysical observatory atop Mt. Kobau near Osoyoos, B.C.
During this period, Climenhaga oversaw expansion of the department's research efforts in Geophysics
Geophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
, Nuclear Physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
, Acoustics
Acoustics
Acoustics is the interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of all mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids including vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. A scientist who works in the field of acoustics is an acoustician while someone working in the field of acoustics...
, Gas dynamics
Gas dynamics
Gas dynamics is a branch of fluid dynamics concerned with studying the motion of gases and its consequent effects. Gas dynamics combines the principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics...
and 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...
, as well as Astronomy.
With the Physics Department well established in undergraduate and graduate programs, Climenhaga accepted the position of Dean of Arts and Science in 1969. He held this position until 1972, a turbulent period in the history of the University of Victoria. During this time, Climenhaga remembered with typical understatement in an article published in the University of Victoria "Around the Ring" publication on April 2, 1982, "it was a rather rough time for the university as a lot of energy was devoted to things other than academic work." Dr. Dosso wrote of this period: "His fair minded and consistently honest approach to solving difficult matters served the university community well."
Following his service as an administrator, Climenhaga spent a sabbatical in 1972 and 1973 carrying out research at the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
, the Radcliffe Observatory
Radcliffe Observatory
Radcliffe Observatory was the astronomical observatory of Oxford University from 1773 until 1934, when the Radcliffe Trustees sold it and erected a new observatory in Pretoria, South Africa. It is a grade I listed building.- History :...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. He then returned to teaching and research in the department. He continued a research collaboration with Dr. Jan Smolinski of the Institute of Astronomy of the Polish Academy of Sciences begun during his sabbatical year. A significant portion of his research involved the abundance ratio of Carbon 12 and Carbon 13 on cool carbon stars. Other research studied blanketing effects and micro-turbulence of super-giant stars.
Upon retirement in 1982, Climenhaga was honoured with the establishment of a scholarship in his name for a senior student in Astronomy. He was further honoured the same year when the observatory located on the roof of the University of Victoria's Elliott Building, where the Physics Department is located, was named the Climenhaga Observatory.
This recognition was entirely appropriate, Dr. Dosso wrote, because in the 1960 when the building was constructed Climenhaga had persuaded the university to include the observatory although there was no Astronomy program at that time.
For several years after retirement, Climenhaga taught introductory courses in Physics and Astronomy at the university and gave many popular astronomy-related talks in the community. He served as Treasurer of the Canadian Astrophysical Society from 1983 to 1989, and continued his research collaboration with colleagues in Poland and Japan.
On his 70th birthday in 1987, he was honoured by the International Astrophysical Union when it assigned the name Climenhaga to an eight-kilometre asteroid (Minor Planet 3034 Climenhaga
3034 Climenhaga
3034 Climenhaga is a main-belt asteroid discovered on September 24, 1917 by Max Wolf at Heidelberg. It was named in 1987 for Dr. John L. Climenhaga of the University of Victoria, in honour of his work in Astrophysics.- External links :...
), which orbits the sun between the orbits of Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
and Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
.
In June 1996, he was granted the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Victoria.
Climenhaga died on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at his home in Victoria, BC.