Saul Rappaport
Encyclopedia
Saul Rappaport is a professor emeritus of physics
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. Rappaport became Assistant Professor in the MIT Department of Physics in 1969 and became a full Professor in 1981. From 1993 to 1995, he was Head of the Astrophysics Division.
He received his A.B.
from Temple University
in 1963 and his Ph.D.
from MIT in 1968.
His main research interest is in binary systems containing collapsed stars—white dwarf
s, neutron star
s, pulsar
s, and black hole
s.
, the leading journal in that subject, are:
"A New Technique for Calculations of Binary Stellar Evolution, with Application to Magnetic Braking Rappaport S, et al. Astrophysical Journal 275 (2): 713-731 1983.
"On the Evolutionary Status of Bright, Low-Mass X-ray Sources," Webrink, RF, Rappaport S, Savonije GJ, Astrophysical Journal 270 (2): 678-693 1983.
"The Evolution of Highly Compact Binary Stellar-Systems," Rappaport S, et al. Astrophysical Journal 254 (2): 616-640 1982.
"Formation and Evolution of Luminous Supersoft X-ray Sources," Rappaport S, et al. Astrophysical Journal 426 (2): 692-703 Part 1 May 10, 1994.
"The Rings Around the Egg Nebula," Harpaz A, Rappaport S, Soker N, Astrophysical Journal 487 (2): 809-817 Part 1 Oct 1 1997.
"Collisions of Free-floating Planets with Evolved Stars in Globular Clusters," Soker N, Rappaport S, Fregeau J, Astrophysical Journal 563 (1): L87-L90 Part 2 DEC 10 2001.
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...
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. Rappaport became Assistant Professor in the MIT Department of Physics in 1969 and became a full Professor in 1981. From 1993 to 1995, he was Head of the Astrophysics Division.
He received his A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in 1963 and his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from MIT in 1968.
His main research interest is in binary systems containing collapsed stars—white dwarf
White dwarf
A white dwarf, also called a degenerate dwarf, is a small star composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter. They are very dense; a white dwarf's mass is comparable to that of the Sun and its volume is comparable to that of the Earth. Its faint luminosity comes from the emission of stored...
s, neutron star
Neutron star
A neutron star is a type of stellar remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star during a Type II, Type Ib or Type Ic supernova event. Such stars are composed almost entirely of neutrons, which are subatomic particles without electrical charge and with a slightly larger...
s, pulsar
Pulsar
A pulsar is a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The radiation can only be observed when the beam of emission is pointing towards the Earth. This is called the lighthouse effect and gives rise to the pulsed nature that gives pulsars their name...
s, and black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
s.
Selected publications
Some of his publications in Astrophysical JournalAstrophysical Journal
The Astrophysical Journal is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering astronomy and astrophysics. It was founded in 1895 by the American astronomers George Ellery Hale and James Edward Keeler. It publishes three 500-page issues per month....
, the leading journal in that subject, are:
"A New Technique for Calculations of Binary Stellar Evolution, with Application to Magnetic Braking Rappaport S, et al. Astrophysical Journal 275 (2): 713-731 1983.
"On the Evolutionary Status of Bright, Low-Mass X-ray Sources," Webrink, RF, Rappaport S, Savonije GJ, Astrophysical Journal 270 (2): 678-693 1983.
"The Evolution of Highly Compact Binary Stellar-Systems," Rappaport S, et al. Astrophysical Journal 254 (2): 616-640 1982.
"Formation and Evolution of Luminous Supersoft X-ray Sources," Rappaport S, et al. Astrophysical Journal 426 (2): 692-703 Part 1 May 10, 1994.
"The Rings Around the Egg Nebula," Harpaz A, Rappaport S, Soker N, Astrophysical Journal 487 (2): 809-817 Part 1 Oct 1 1997.
"Collisions of Free-floating Planets with Evolved Stars in Globular Clusters," Soker N, Rappaport S, Fregeau J, Astrophysical Journal 563 (1): L87-L90 Part 2 DEC 10 2001.