Remembering Dr. James Van Allen

LabRat · 08-10-2006, 01:07 PM

Although I never met him, I work across the street from the building named after him here at the University of Iowa.

Van Allen radiation Belts

Remembering Dr. James Van Allen
By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter

IOWA CITY – Physicist and space pioneer James Van Allen died early Wednesday morning in Iowa City from heart failure. He was 91.

Van Allen's career stretched over more than half a century. In 1951, he became professor and head of the University of Iowa’s department of physics and astronomy. He gained global attention in the late 1950’s when he discovered the radiation belts surrounding the earth. They are now known as the Van Allen belts. The discovery was such a milestone in the space race with the Soviet Union that Time magazine put Van Allen's picture onto its cover.

He retired from full time teaching in 1985. And two years later he received the national medal of science. Even after his retirement, Van Allen was always thinking about the future of space exploration.

People have nothing but good things to say and fond memories of Van Allen. What else would you expect from someone who did so much, but remained so humble?

Inside the University of Iowa physics and astronomy building, professors and researchers are still working from the foundation laid by the building's namesake, James Van Allen. The man whose work discovered radiation belts around the earth has affected countless people lives in Iowa City. Professor and chair of the physics and astronomy department Dr. Tom Boggess said, “I think the most remarkable thing about Professor Van Allen was in spite of all his accomplishments and all the accolades he received he was a very humble man."

The most common characteristic attributed to Van Allen is how humble he was. His colleagues called him ‘Van.’ They remember him saying hello to everyone, calling them by first name.

He would sit in his office, smoking a pipe and crunching numbers that would boggle the minds of people. Engineer Bill Robison said, “Space science in the United States would be vastly different if Van wasn't around."

Van Allen's professional life took him to new heights. He launched rockets out of balloons. He made the cover of Time magazine in 1959. Radiation belts surrounding the planet are named after him. So is a university building and an elementary school. Still, friends and coworkers remember one thing about Iowa's most profound astronomer. Long time friend Jack Newman said, “He's such a gracious, humble wonderful guy, person as an individual, a human being."

Similar words echo throughout the Van Allen physics and astronomy building the day after his death.

VIDEO LINK

Elspode · 08-10-2006, 01:12 PM

A true of American space science pioneer. RIP, Jim.

08-10-2006, 01:07 PM	#1
LabRat twatfaced two legged bumhole Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,143	Remembering Dr. James Van Allen Although I never met him, I work across the street from the building named after him here at the University of Iowa. Van Allen radiation Belts Remembering Dr. James Van Allen By: Steve Nicoles, Reporter IOWA CITY – Physicist and space pioneer James Van Allen died early Wednesday morning in Iowa City from heart failure. He was 91. Van Allen's career stretched over more than half a century. In 1951, he became professor and head of the University of Iowa’s department of physics and astronomy. He gained global attention in the late 1950’s when he discovered the radiation belts surrounding the earth. They are now known as the Van Allen belts. The discovery was such a milestone in the space race with the Soviet Union that Time magazine put Van Allen's picture onto its cover. He retired from full time teaching in 1985. And two years later he received the national medal of science. Even after his retirement, Van Allen was always thinking about the future of space exploration. People have nothing but good things to say and fond memories of Van Allen. What else would you expect from someone who did so much, but remained so humble? Inside the University of Iowa physics and astronomy building, professors and researchers are still working from the foundation laid by the building's namesake, James Van Allen. The man whose work discovered radiation belts around the earth has affected countless people lives in Iowa City. Professor and chair of the physics and astronomy department Dr. Tom Boggess said, “I think the most remarkable thing about Professor Van Allen was in spite of all his accomplishments and all the accolades he received he was a very humble man." The most common characteristic attributed to Van Allen is how humble he was. His colleagues called him ‘Van.’ They remember him saying hello to everyone, calling them by first name. He would sit in his office, smoking a pipe and crunching numbers that would boggle the minds of people. Engineer Bill Robison said, “Space science in the United States would be vastly different if Van wasn't around." Van Allen's professional life took him to new heights. He launched rockets out of balloons. He made the cover of Time magazine in 1959. Radiation belts surrounding the planet are named after him. So is a university building and an elementary school. Still, friends and coworkers remember one thing about Iowa's most profound astronomer. Long time friend Jack Newman said, “He's such a gracious, humble wonderful guy, person as an individual, a human being." Similar words echo throughout the Van Allen physics and astronomy building the day after his death. VIDEO LINK __________________ Strength does not come from how much weight you can lift, or how many miles you can run. It comes from knowing that you set a goal, and rose to the challenge. Strength comes from within.

08-10-2006, 01:12 PM	#2
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	A true of American space science pioneer. RIP, Jim. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

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