Developed pioneering spectrographic techniques to study celestial objects, making significant contributions to our understanding of stars and galaxies.
Jesse L. Greenstein was a renowned American astronomer who left an indelible mark on the field of astronomy. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the abundances of elements in stars, his identification of quasars as compact, distant sources, and his contributions to our understanding of the structure of the Milky Way galaxy.
Born on October 15, 1909, in New York City, Greenstein's intellectual curiosity was evident from an early age. He began his academic journey at the tender age of 16, enrolling in Harvard University, where he would later earn his Ph.D. in 1937 under the guidance of esteemed astronomer Donald H. Menzel.
Greenstein's professional career took off at Yerkes Observatory, where he worked under the direction of Otto Struve. It was during this period that he collaborated with Fred Lawrence Whipple to explain Karl Jansky's discovery of radio waves from the Milky Way, proposing a novel source for these emissions. He later joined Caltech, where he would spend the majority of his career, directing the astronomy program until 1972.
One of Greenstein's most significant contributions was his invention, along with Louis G. Henyey, of a new spectrograph and wide-field camera. This innovative technology enabled astronomers to better understand the composition and properties of celestial objects. In 1949, he demonstrated, alongside Leverett Davis, Jr., that the magnetic field in our galaxy is aligned with the spiral arms.
Greenstein's work on quasars, along with Maarten Schmidt, revolutionized our understanding of the universe. By deciphering the spectra of the first quasars discovered, radio sources 3C 48 and 3C 273, they revealed these objects to be compact, extremely distant sources as bright as entire galaxies.
Jesse L. Greenstein's contributions to astronomy have had a lasting impact on our understanding of the cosmos. His work on element abundances, quasars, and the structure of the Milky Way galaxy has paved the way for future generations of astronomers. Through his tireless efforts, Greenstein has left an enduring legacy in the field of astronomy, inspiring countless scientists to continue exploring the mysteries of the universe.
Born in 1910
A renowned scientist who pioneered our understanding of black holes and the behavior of stars, earning a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983.
94 Years Old
Discovered quasars, incredibly luminous objects thought to be powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.
98 Years Old
Pioneering astronomer and cosmologist who determined the first reasonably accurate values for the Hubble constant and the age of the universe. His work laid the foundation for modern cosmology.
Born in 1889
Discovered galaxies beyond our own Milky Way, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe's scale and expansion. Pioneered observational cosmology, providing evidence for the Big Bang theory.
Born in 1885
Measured the galaxy's size and mapped the Milky Way's structure, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
Born in 1900
Pioneering astronomer who discovered that stars are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. Her groundbreaking work paved the way for future generations of astronomers.
Born in 1882
A pioneer in astrophysics, he formulated the Eddington limit, a crucial concept in understanding stars, and was a key figure in popularizing Einstein's theory of relativity. His work bridged the gap between theory and observation in astronomy.
