Antony Hewish: The Pioneering Radio Astronomer Behind the Discovery of Pulsars
A Nobel Prize Winner and a Giant in Radio Astronomy
Antony Hewish is renowned for his groundbreaking discovery of pulsars, a finding that revolutionized our understanding of the universe and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974. Alongside
Martin Ryle, Hewish's work on interplanetary scintillation led to the detection of these mysterious, pulsing celestial bodies, catapulting him to the forefront of radio astronomy.
Early Life and Education
Born on May 11, 1924, in Fowey, Cornwall, England, Hewish attended King's College, Taunton, before pursuing his undergraduate degree at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. However, his studies were interrupted by World War II, during which he was assigned to war service at the Royal Aircraft Establishment and the Telecommunications Research Establishment, where he worked alongside Martin Ryle.
After the war, Hewish returned to the University of Cambridge, completing his undergraduate degree and becoming a postgraduate student under Ryle's research team at the Cavendish Laboratory.
Career and Research
Hewish's innovative spirit led him to propose the construction of a large phased array radio telescope, designed to perform high-time-resolution surveys of interplanetary scintillation. In 1965, he secured funding to build the Interplanetary Scintillation Array at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory (MRAO) outside Cambridge. Completed in 1967, this pioneering project enabled Hewish and his team, including PhD student Jocelyn Bell (later known as
Jocelyn Bell Burnell), to detect the first pulsar.
Hewish's initial skepticism about the signal's origin was soon dispelled as the data revealed a constant right ascension, pointing to an extraterrestrial source. The discovery was announced in a scientific paper with five authors, including Hewish and Bell.
Awards and Honors
The significance of Hewish's work was recognized with several prestigious awards, including:
- The Nobel Prize in Physics (1974)
- The Eddington Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (1969)
Legacy and Impact
Antony Hewish's pioneering work on pulsars has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe. His discovery opened up new avenues for research, allowing scientists to study extreme astrophysical phenomena, such as neutron stars and black holes. As a testament to his legacy, Hewish's work continues to inspire new generations of astronomers and physicists.
Hewish passed away on September 13, 2021, leaving behind a rich legacy that will continue to shape our understanding of the cosmos.
Personal Milestones and Key Life Events
- 1946: Returned to the University of Cambridge to complete his undergraduate degree
- 1952: Awarded PhD for his thesis on the observation and exploitation of scintillations of astronomical radio sources
- 1965: Secured funding to build the Interplanetary Scintillation Array
- 1967: Completed the Interplanetary Scintillation Array at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory
- 1974: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Martin Ryle
Trivia and Fun Facts
- Hewish's work on pulsars was initially met with skepticism, with some scientists believing the signals were of extraterrestrial origin – but not in the way he had discovered!
- The discovery of pulsars was announced on February 24, 1968, in the journal Nature.
FAQ
What is Antony Hewishs most famous discovery?
Antony Hewish is most famous for his discovery of pulsars, which revolutionized our understanding of star formation and the universe.
How did Antony Hewish discover pulsars?
Hewish and his team discovered pulsars in 1967 using a radio telescope at Cambridge University. They observed a series of intense, regular bursts of radio energy coming from a specific point in the sky.
What are pulsars?
Pulsars are extremely dense, spinning neutron stars that emit electromagnetic radiation in a beam, which can be observed as pulses of energy if the beam intersects with the Earth.
What awards did Antony Hewish win?
Hewish won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974, along with Martin Ryle, for their pioneering research on pulsars and the discovery of these extraordinary objects.
How is Antony Hewish remembered today?
Antony Hewish is remembered as a pioneering astronomer who expanded our understanding of the universe and the behavior of stars. His discovery of pulsars opened up new areas of research in astrophysics.
