William Kenneth Hartmann
Encyclopedia
William K. Hartmann is a noted planetary scientist
, author
, and writer
. He was the first to convince the scientific mainstream that the Earth had once been hit by a planet sized body
(Thea), creating both the moon
and the Earth's 23° tilt.
Born in Pennsylvania
, he received his B.S. in physics from Pennsylvania State University
, and an M.S. in geology and Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Arizona
. His career spans over 40 years, from work in the early 1960s with Gerard Kuiper on Mare Orientale
, and work on the Mariner 9
Mars mapping project, to current work on the Mars Global Surveyor
imaging team. He is currently a senior scientist
at the Planetary Science Institute
.
Strongly influenced by Chesley Bonestell
, he has long been one of America's leading space art
ists, and has written and illustrated (often collaboratively with Ron Miller
) numerous books on the history of Earth
and the Solar System
.
Hartmann is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists
. His written work also includes textbooks, short fiction, and novels, the most recent being published in 2002. In 1997 he was the first recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal
for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science
from the American Astronomical Society
, Division for Planetary Sciences
.
Hartmann was a member of the 1966–1968 University of Colorado UFO Project, informally known as the Condon Committee
, a controversial public study of UFOs sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. He primarily investigated photographic evidence, rejecting most as unreliable or inconclusive, but in his studies published in the Committee's final report, Hartmann concluded two cases were unexplained and particularly noteworthy as probative evidence of the reality of UFOs.
Asteroid 3341 Hartmann
is named after him.
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,...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. He was the first to convince the scientific mainstream that the Earth had once been hit by a planet sized body
Giant impact hypothesis
The giant impact hypothesis states that the Moon was created out of the debris left over from a collision between the young Earth and a Mars-sized body. The colliding body is sometimes called Theia for the mythical Greek Titan who was the mother of Selene, the goddess of the moon.The giant impact...
(Thea), creating both the moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
and the Earth's 23° tilt.
Born in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, he received his B.S. in physics from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, and an M.S. in geology and Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
. His career spans over 40 years, from work in the early 1960s with Gerard Kuiper on Mare Orientale
Mare Orientale
Mare Orientale is one of the most striking large scale lunar features, resembling a target ring bull's-eye. Located on the extreme western edge of the lunar nearside, this impact basin is difficult to see from an Earthbound perspective.Material from this basin was not sampled by the Apollo program...
, and work on the Mariner 9
Mariner 9
Mariner 9 was a NASA space orbiter that helped in the exploration of Mars and was part of the Mariner program. Mariner 9 was launched toward Mars on May 30, 1971 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and reached the planet on November 13 of the same year, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit...
Mars mapping project, to current work on the Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Global Surveyor
The Mars Global Surveyor was a US spacecraft developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and launched November 1996. It began the United States's return to Mars after a 10-year absence. It completed its primary mission in January 2001 and was in its third extended mission phase when, on 2...
imaging team. He is currently a senior scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
at the Planetary Science Institute
Planetary Science Institute
The Planetary Science Institute is a research institute based in Tucson, Arizona, focusing on planetary science.Founded in 1972 on a non-profit basis, it is involved in many NASA missions, the study of Mars, asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, the formation of the Solar System, extrasolar...
.
Strongly influenced by Chesley Bonestell
Chesley Bonestell
Chesley Bonestell was an American painter, designer and illustrator. His paintings were a major influence on science fiction art and illustration, and he helped inspire the American space program...
, he has long been one of America's leading space art
Space art
Space art is a general term for art emerging from knowledge and ideas associated with outer space, both as a source of inspiration and as a means for visualizing and promoting space travel. Whatever the stylistic path, the artist is generally attempting to communicate ideas somehow related to...
ists, and has written and illustrated (often collaboratively with Ron Miller
Ron Miller
Ron Miller may refer to:* Ron W. Miller, son-in-law of Walt Disney and CEO and president of Walt Disney Productions in the 1970s and 80s* Ronald H. Miller, author and a professor of religion at Lake Forest College* Ron E...
) numerous books on the history of Earth
History of Earth
The history of the Earth describes the most important events and fundamental stages in the development of the planet Earth from its formation 4.578 billion years ago to the present day. Nearly all branches of natural science have contributed to the understanding of the main events of the Earth's...
and the Solar System
Solar System
The Solar System consists of the Sun and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it, all of which formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun...
.
Hartmann is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists
International Association of Astronomical Artists
The International Association of Astronomical Artists , is a non-profit organization whose members implement and participate in astronomical and space art projects, promote education about space art and foster international cooperation in artistic work inspired by the exploration of the...
. His written work also includes textbooks, short fiction, and novels, the most recent being published in 2002. In 1997 he was the first recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal
Carl Sagan Medal
The Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science was established by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society to recognize and honor outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public...
for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science
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,...
from the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
, Division for Planetary Sciences
Division for Planetary Sciences
The Division for Planetary Sciences is a division within the American Astronomical Society devoted to solar system research. It was founded in 1968. The first organizing committee members were: Edward Anders, L. Branscomb, J. W. Chamberlain, R. Goody, J. S. Hall, A. Kliore, M. B. Elroy, Tobias...
.
Hartmann was a member of the 1966–1968 University of Colorado UFO Project, informally known as the Condon Committee
Condon Committee
The Condon Committee was the informal name of the University of Colorado UFO Project, a group funded by the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1968 at the University of Colorado to study unidentified flying objects under the direction of physicist Edward Condon...
, a controversial public study of UFOs sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. He primarily investigated photographic evidence, rejecting most as unreliable or inconclusive, but in his studies published in the Committee's final report, Hartmann concluded two cases were unexplained and particularly noteworthy as probative evidence of the reality of UFOs.
Asteroid 3341 Hartmann
3341 Hartmann
3341 Hartmann is a main-belt asteroid discovered on July 17, 1980 by Ted Bowell at Flagstaff .- References :*It is referred to in the raw code for the popular computer past-time Dwarf Fortress, should you be unlucky in your world generation, an asteroid might impact- External links :*...
is named after him.