| Lyman Spitzer, Jr. (1914 - 1997) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory 
During World War II, Dr. Spitzer did underwater sound research, working with a team that led to the development of sonar. In 1946,
he proposed that an observatory be placed in space where it could detect a wide range of wavelengths and not suffer the obscuring
effect of our atmosphere. Also, he wrote a paper that described in detail the advantages of putting a telescope in space. He worked
for 50 years to make this vision become a reality with the Hubble Space Telescope.
In 1947, Princeton University appointed Spitzer chairman of the Astrophysical Sciences Department. He also became director of Princeton's Observatory. Along with Martin Schwarzchild, he built the department into a major research facility. While at Princeton, Spitzer made many contributions to the field of astrophysics. He is considered the founder of the study of interstellar medium - the gas and dust among the stars from which new stars form. He had studied in detail interstellar dust grains and magnetic fields as well as the motions of star clusters and their evolution. Also, he investigated star formation regions and was among the first to suggest that bright stars in spiral galaxies formed recently. In addition, he accurately predicted the existence of a hot galactic halo surrounding our Milky Way galaxy. In 1951, Spitzer founded the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, a pioneering program in controlled thermonuclear research. His efforts were among the first to harness nuclear fusion as a clean source of energy. He remained the Laboratory’s director until 1967. In 1976, NASA awarded its Distinguished Public Service Medal to Spitzer for his efforts in rocket and high altitude balloon astronomy. |
