Ralph Belknap Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Ralph Belknap Baldwin was an American
planetary scientist
known for his work on lunar craters, beginning in the late 1940s. His book, The Face of the Moon made the case for the impact nature of lunar craters.
Prior to his lunar work he was Senior Physicist at Johns Hopkins University's
Applied Physics Laboratory
during World War II
working on the Army Chief of Ordnance Award
. In 1947 he began working for Oliver Machinery Company. In 1970 he became president of the company and chairman of the board in 1982. He retired in 1984. He died on October 23, 2010.
. He attended the University of Michigan
, receiving his B.S in 1934, M.S in 1935, and Ph. D. in 1937. After graduation he taught astronomy
at the University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania
, and Northwestern
University from 1935 through 1942. The photographs at the Adler Planetarium
, where he lectured to earn extra money, sparked his interest in lunar craters. This led to an article in Popular Astronomy
in 1942 and later his book The Face of the Moon, in 1949.
in 1980.
In planetary science he has been awarded the Barringer Medal
(2000), Leonard Medal
(1986), G.K. Gilbert Award (1986), and the J. Lawrence Smith Medal
(1979)
The Ralph B. Baldwin Award by the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America was established in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
planetary scientist
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,...
known for his work on lunar craters, beginning in the late 1940s. His book, The Face of the Moon made the case for the impact nature of lunar craters.
Prior to his lunar work he was Senior Physicist at Johns Hopkins University's
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
Applied Physics Laboratory
Applied Physics Laboratory
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory , located in Howard County, Maryland near Laurel and Columbia, is a not-for-profit, university-affiliated research center employing 4,500 people. APL is primarily a defense contractor. It serves as a technical resource for the Department of...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
working on the Army Chief of Ordnance Award
Proximity fuze
A proximity fuze is a fuze that is designed to detonate an explosive device automatically when the distance to target becomes smaller than a predetermined value or when the target passes through a given plane...
. In 1947 he began working for Oliver Machinery Company. In 1970 he became president of the company and chairman of the board in 1982. He retired in 1984. He died on October 23, 2010.
Early life
Baldwin was born in Grand Rapids, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He attended 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...
, receiving his B.S in 1934, M.S in 1935, and Ph. D. in 1937. After graduation he taught astronomy
at the University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and Northwestern
University from 1935 through 1942. The photographs at the Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago, Illinois was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today. Adler was founded and built in 1930 by the philanthropist Max Adler, with the assistance of the first director of the planetarium, Philip Fox...
, where he lectured to earn extra money, sparked his interest in lunar craters. This led to an article in Popular Astronomy
Popular Astronomy
-Popular Astronomy Magazine:Popular Astronomy is the bi-monthly magazine of the UK's Society for Popular Astronomy, published in January, March, May, July, September and November. Before 2011 it was a quarterly publication...
in 1942 and later his book The Face of the Moon, in 1949.
Awards and honors
Baldwin has been honored for each of his three careers. During his work on the radio proximity fuze he was awarded the Army Chief of Ordnance Award and the U.S. Naval Bureau Ordnance Award (1945). In 1947 he was a recipient of the Presidential Certificate of Merit. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1980.
In planetary science he has been awarded the Barringer Medal
Barringer Medal
The Barringer Medal recognizes outstanding work in the field of impact cratering and/or work that has led to a better understanding of impact phenomena. The Barringer Medal and Award were established to honor the memory of D. Moreau Barringer Sr. and his son D. Moreau Barringer Jr. and are...
(2000), Leonard Medal
Leonard Medal
The Leonard Medal honors outstanding contributions to the science of meteoritics and closely allied fields. It is awarded by the Meteoritical Society. It was established in 1962 to honor the first President of the Society, Frederick C. Leonard....
(1986), G.K. Gilbert Award (1986), and the J. Lawrence Smith Medal
J. Lawrence Smith Medal
J. Lawrence Smith Medal is awarded by the National Academy of Sciences for investigations of meteoric bodies. The medal is in honor of its namesake, J. Lawrence Smith.-Further reading:* Willson, Lee Anne. Presented April 2006....
(1979)
The Ralph B. Baldwin Award by the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America was established in his honor.