Bill Napier
Encyclopedia
William M. Napier or Bill Napier (born 29 June 1940 in Perth, Scotland
) is the author of five high tech
thriller novels and a number of serious scientific books.
He received his Bachelor of Science
degree in 1963 and his Doctor of Philosophy
degree in 1966, both from the University of Glasgow
.
Napier is a professional astronomer
who has worked at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh
, the University of Oxford
and Armagh Observatory
. He is currently an Honorary Professor of Astrobiology
at Cardiff University
. His research work focuses on comet
s and cosmology
. The result of his collaboration with Victor Clube
and others on the role of giant comets in Earth history is known as "coherent catastrophism".
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
) is the author of five high tech
High tech
High tech is technology that is at the cutting edge: the most advanced technology currently available. It is often used in reference to micro-electronics, rather than other technologies. The adjective form is hyphenated: high-tech or high-technology...
thriller novels and a number of serious scientific books.
He received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1963 and his Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in 1966, both from the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
.
Napier is a professional astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
who has worked at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh
Royal Observatory, Edinburgh
The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh is an astronomical institution located on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. The site is owned by the Science and Technology Facilities Council...
, the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and Armagh Observatory
Armagh Observatory
Armagh Observatory is a modern astronomical research institute with a rich heritage, based in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Around 25 astronomers are actively studying stellar astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy, and the Earth's climate....
. He is currently an Honorary Professor of Astrobiology
Astrobiology
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for habitable environments in our Solar System and habitable planets outside our Solar System, the search for evidence of prebiotic chemistry,...
at Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
. His research work focuses on comet
Comet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
s and cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
. The result of his collaboration with Victor Clube
Victor Clube
Stace Victor Murray Clube is an English astrophysicist.He was educated at St John's and Christ Church, Oxford...
and others on the role of giant comets in Earth history is known as "coherent catastrophism".
Fiction
- Nemesis (1998), a science-fiction thriller
- Revelation (2000)
- The Lure (2002)
- Shattered Icon (Splintered Icon in the US) (2003)
- The Furies (2009)
Scientific
- The Cosmic Serpent (1982), with Victor ClubeVictor ClubeStace Victor Murray Clube is an English astrophysicist.He was educated at St John's and Christ Church, Oxford...
- The Cosmic Winter (1990), with Victor Clube
- The Origin of Comets (1990), with M. E. Bailey and Victor Clube