Scott Forbush
Encyclopedia
Scott Ellsworth Forbush was an American astronomer
, physicist
and geophysicist who is recognized as having laid the observational foundations for many of the central features of solar-interplanetary-terrestrial physics, which at the time was an under-developed field of study. The Forbush Effect, which in geophysics is an occasional decrease in the intensity of cosmic rays as observed on Earth, and is attributed to magnetic effects produced by solar flares, was named after him for his discovery. Scott conducted most of his research during his career at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM) of the Carnegie Institution of Washington where he was appointed chairman of a section on theoretical
geophysics in 1957.. This research specialized in the statistically sophisticated analysis of phenomena such as magnetic storms
, solar activity, rotation of the Earth, and the rotation of the sun
, and the correlation of this geophysical and solar phenomena with temporal variations of cosmic-ray intensity.
Scott was widowed once and married twice, the first time to Clara Lundell, concert pianist who passed in 1967, and for the second time in June of 1970, 14 years before his death, to Julie Daves, a science writer and watercolor artist. Scott passed in 1984 in Charlottesville, Virginia
having suffered from pneumonia
. He was survived by his wife Julie and his sister Louise Boyd of Hudson, Ohio
.
on a farm, Scott spent his childhood walking back and forth to a small school 2 miles away, and working on his parent's farm. His mother was a teacher and encouraged his curiosity and interest in learning by enrolling him in the nearby Western Reserve Academy
. Scott graduated in 1920 and a year later enrolled in the Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland. In 1925 he graduated with a physics major and went on to try graduate study in physics at Ohio State University
briefly, before he decided that observational geophysics was much more appealing than pure physics and began seeking employment in that field. At a later point he resumed his formal graduate work with a fresh appreciation of its direct applicability to his area of interest.In 1925 Scott gained his first employment by the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C.
Starting in September of 1927, after having held his position with the National Bureau of Standards for roughly one year, he became employed by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM) of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, which became a pivotal point for him in his professional career. As an observer at DTM's magnetic observatory, he worked in Huancayo, Peru, in the Andes
100 miles east of Lima
, before joining the staff of the famous nonmagnetic sailing ship, Carnegie
, two years later. Carnegie was a vessel built for DTM's worldwide survey of the geomagnetic field. After his ship suffered an explosion in November of 1929, he returned to DTM and was reassigned to Huancayo, where he was able to publish a paper entitled Huancayo Magnetic Observatory June to September, 1930 in the Journal of Geophysical Research.. In 1931 he was granted permission to finish his graduate studies in physics and mathematics at Johns Hopkins University
. He became married in 1932 to Clara Lundell, concert pianist, and was widowed in 1967.
developed by John A. Simpson
.
The bulk of his research was pertaining to geophysical and solar activity, as he contributed a reliable foundation for fundamental cosmic ray effects and also made discoveries of his own. Such effects include the 22-year cycle in the amplitude of the diurnal
variation, the 11-year cyclic variation of intensity and its anticorrelation with the solar activity cycle by use of measuring sunspot
numbers, worldwide impulsive decreases (which were termed Forbush decrease
s after himself) of intensity followed by gradual recovery, the sporadic emission of very energetic charged particles by solar flares, the absence of a detectable sidereal
, diurnal variation of intensity, the diurnal variation of intensity, and the quasi-persistent 27-day variation of intensity. He became a master of the calibration
and maintenance of these meters which measured charged secondaries, and the effects of temperature and barometric pressure in relation to Earth's external magnetic field
and its interaction with the overlying atmosphere
.
For 5 years, starting in 1940 Scott was forced to discontinue his research due to his contextual surroundings of World War II in progress. Instead for this period he headed a division on mathematical analysis
for the Naval Ordnance Laboratory
. His work there was important in that it contributed towards the development of degaussing techniques for ships and submarines. He helped to guide the development of airborne magnetometers
for the detection of submerged submarines. After World War II ended and he returned to DTM he was pulled aside once again for a year due to the Korean War in 1951, where he directed a mathematical analysis division of an operations research office based at Johns Hopkins University.
From 1958 to 1984 Scott extended his earlier seminal work on correlations between cosmic-ray intensity, geomagnetic storms and solar activity, while traveling around to lecture at international meetings and expanding his personal research to become more inclusive for collaboration with other researchers.
and The American Physical Society. His publications include but are not limited to:
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...
, physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and geophysicist who is recognized as having laid the observational foundations for many of the central features of solar-interplanetary-terrestrial physics, which at the time was an under-developed field of study. The Forbush Effect, which in geophysics is an occasional decrease in the intensity of cosmic rays as observed on Earth, and is attributed to magnetic effects produced by solar flares, was named after him for his discovery. Scott conducted most of his research during his career at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM) of the Carnegie Institution of Washington where he was appointed chairman of a section on theoretical
Scientific theory
A scientific theory comprises a collection of concepts, including abstractions of observable phenomena expressed as quantifiable properties, together with rules that express relationships between observations of such concepts...
geophysics in 1957.. This research specialized in the statistically sophisticated analysis of phenomena such as magnetic storms
Geomagnetic storm
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere caused by a disturbance in the interplanetary medium. A geomagnetic storm is a major component of space weather and provides the input for many other components of space weather...
, solar activity, rotation of the Earth, and the rotation of the sun
Solar rotation
Solar rotation is able to vary with latitude because the Sun is composed of a gaseous plasma. The rate of rotation is observed to be fastest at the equator , and to decrease as latitude increases...
, and the correlation of this geophysical and solar phenomena with temporal variations of cosmic-ray intensity.
Scott was widowed once and married twice, the first time to Clara Lundell, concert pianist who passed in 1967, and for the second time in June of 1970, 14 years before his death, to Julie Daves, a science writer and watercolor artist. Scott passed in 1984 in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
having suffered from pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
. He was survived by his wife Julie and his sister Louise Boyd of Hudson, Ohio
Hudson, Ohio
Hudson is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 22,262 at the 2010 census. It is an affluent exurban community and is part of the Akron, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Early years
Born in 1904 near Hudson, OhioHudson, Ohio
Hudson is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 22,262 at the 2010 census. It is an affluent exurban community and is part of the Akron, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area...
on a farm, Scott spent his childhood walking back and forth to a small school 2 miles away, and working on his parent's farm. His mother was a teacher and encouraged his curiosity and interest in learning by enrolling him in the nearby Western Reserve Academy
Western Reserve Academy
Western Reserve Academy is a private, mid-sized, coeducational boarding and day college preparatory school located in Hudson, Ohio.-History:...
. Scott graduated in 1920 and a year later enrolled in the Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland. In 1925 he graduated with a physics major and went on to try graduate study in physics at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
briefly, before he decided that observational geophysics was much more appealing than pure physics and began seeking employment in that field. At a later point he resumed his formal graduate work with a fresh appreciation of its direct applicability to his area of interest.In 1925 Scott gained his first employment by the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, D.C.
Starting in September of 1927, after having held his position with the National Bureau of Standards for roughly one year, he became employed by the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM) of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, which became a pivotal point for him in his professional career. As an observer at DTM's magnetic observatory, he worked in Huancayo, Peru, in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
100 miles east of Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, before joining the staff of the famous nonmagnetic sailing ship, Carnegie
Carnegie (ship)
The Carnegie was a brigantine yacht, equipped as a research vessel, constructed almost entirely from wood and other non-magnetic materials to allow sensitive magnetic measurements to be taken for the Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism. She carried out a series of cruises...
, two years later. Carnegie was a vessel built for DTM's worldwide survey of the geomagnetic field. After his ship suffered an explosion in November of 1929, he returned to DTM and was reassigned to Huancayo, where he was able to publish a paper entitled Huancayo Magnetic Observatory June to September, 1930 in the Journal of Geophysical Research.. In 1931 he was granted permission to finish his graduate studies in physics and mathematics at Johns Hopkins University
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...
. He became married in 1932 to Clara Lundell, concert pianist, and was widowed in 1967.
Research
Scott Forbush in larger part of his career was employed by the Carnegie Institution of Washington in the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in Washington D.C. In 1957 he was named chairman of a section on theoretical geophysics at DTM, and around the same time became a chairman of the Panel on Cosmic Rays of the U.S. National Committee for a year. With these titles he helped to organize and coordinate both national and international efforts in the observation of cosmic ray intensity world-wide using neutron monitorsNeutron monitor
A neutron monitor is a ground-based detector designed to measure the number of high-energy charged particles striking the Earth's atmosphere from outer space. For historical reasons the incoming particles are called "cosmic rays", but in fact they are particles, predominantly protons and Helium...
developed by John A. Simpson
John Alexander Simpson
John Alexander Simpson worked as an experimental nuclear, and cosmic ray physicist who was deeply committed to educating the public and political leaders about science and its implications. The year he died, his instruments in space had been sending data back for nearly 40 years...
.
The bulk of his research was pertaining to geophysical and solar activity, as he contributed a reliable foundation for fundamental cosmic ray effects and also made discoveries of his own. Such effects include the 22-year cycle in the amplitude of the diurnal
Diurnal cycle
A diurnal cycle is any pattern that recurs every 24 hours as a result of one full rotation of the Earth.In climatology, the diurnal cycle is one of the most basic forms of climate patterns. The most familiar such pattern is the diurnal temperature variation...
variation, the 11-year cyclic variation of intensity and its anticorrelation with the solar activity cycle by use of measuring sunspot
Sunspot
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection by an effect comparable to the eddy current brake, forming areas of reduced surface temperature....
numbers, worldwide impulsive decreases (which were termed Forbush decrease
Forbush decrease
A Forbush decrease is a rapid decrease in the observed galactic cosmic ray intensity following a coronal mass ejection . It occurs due to the magnetic field of the plasma solar wind sweeping some of the galactic cosmic rays away from Earth. The term Forbush decrease was named after the American...
s after himself) of intensity followed by gradual recovery, the sporadic emission of very energetic charged particles by solar flares, the absence of a detectable sidereal
Sidereal
Sidereal, of the stars, may refer to:* Measurements of time:** Sidereal time** Sidereal day** Sidereal month** Sidereal year* Sidereal period of an object orbiting a star* Sidereal astrology...
, diurnal variation of intensity, the diurnal variation of intensity, and the quasi-persistent 27-day variation of intensity. He became a master of the calibration
Calibration
Calibration is a comparison between measurements – one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one device and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device....
and maintenance of these meters which measured charged secondaries, and the effects of temperature and barometric pressure in relation to Earth's external magnetic field
Earth's magnetic field
Earth's magnetic field is the magnetic field that extends from the Earth's inner core to where it meets the solar wind, a stream of energetic particles emanating from the Sun...
and its interaction with the overlying atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
.
For 5 years, starting in 1940 Scott was forced to discontinue his research due to his contextual surroundings of World War II in progress. Instead for this period he headed a division on mathematical analysis
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical analysis, which mathematicians refer to simply as analysis, has its beginnings in the rigorous formulation of infinitesimal calculus. It is a branch of pure mathematics that includes the theories of differentiation, integration and measure, limits, infinite series, and analytic functions...
for the Naval Ordnance Laboratory
Naval Ordnance Laboratory
The Naval Ordnance Laboratory , now disestablished, formerly located in White Oak, Maryland was the site of considerable work that had practical impact upon world technology. The White Oak site of NOL has now been taken over by the Food and Drug Administration.-History:The U.S...
. His work there was important in that it contributed towards the development of degaussing techniques for ships and submarines. He helped to guide the development of airborne magnetometers
Magnetometer
A magnetometer is a measuring instrument used to measure the strength or direction of a magnetic field either produced in the laboratory or existing in nature...
for the detection of submerged submarines. After World War II ended and he returned to DTM he was pulled aside once again for a year due to the Korean War in 1951, where he directed a mathematical analysis division of an operations research office based at Johns Hopkins University.
From 1958 to 1984 Scott extended his earlier seminal work on correlations between cosmic-ray intensity, geomagnetic storms and solar activity, while traveling around to lecture at international meetings and expanding his personal research to become more inclusive for collaboration with other researchers.
Publications
Scott E. Forbush has published one book entitled Geomagnetism, Cosmic Radiation, and Statistical Procedures for Geophysicists (Oxford, 1940). He has a book of compilations of his papers published after his death entitled Cosmic Rays, the Sun and Geomagnetism: The Works of Scott E. Forbush by Scott E. Forbush (American Geophysical Union, June 1993).. In his time he has published many articles in journals such as the Journal of Geophysical ResearchJournal of Geophysical Research
The Journal of Geophysical Research is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Geophysical Union 80 times per year. It contains original research on the physical, chemical, and biological processes that contribute to the understanding of the Earth, Sun, and solar system...
and The American Physical Society. His publications include but are not limited to:
- Three Unusual Cosmic-Ray Increases Possibly Due to Charged Particles from the Sun.http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1946PhRv...70..771F
-
- Forbush, Scott E.
- Phys. Rev. 70, 771-772. The American Physical Society. (11/1946)
- World-Wide Cosmic-Ray Variations, 1937-1952 http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1954JGR....59..525F
-
- Forbush, Scott E.
- Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 59, issue 4, pp. 525-542 (JGR Homepage). (12/1954)
- Cosmic-Ray Intensity Variations during Two Solar Cycleshttp://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1958JGR....63..651F
-
- Forbush, Scott E.
- Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 63, issue 4, pp. 651-669 (JGR Homepage). (12/1958)