David Todd Wilkinson (13 May 1935 – 5 September 2002) was a world-renowned pioneer in the field of
cosmologyPhysical cosmology, as a branch of astronomy, is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of our universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. Cosmology involves itself with studying the motions of the celestial bodies and the first cause....
, specializing in the study of the cosmic microwave background radiation (
CMBCMB can mean:*Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka's only international airport *C.M.B., the debut album of American R&B artist Color Me Badd*Cavalier Marching Band, the marching band of the University of Virginia...
) left over from the
Big BangThe Big Bang is the cosmological model of the initial conditions and subsequent development of the Universe that is supported by the most comprehensive and accurate explanations from current scientific evidence and observation...
. He was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, and earned his Ph.D. in physics at the
University of MichiganThe University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a public research university located in the state of Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university, the flagship campus of the University of Michigan, and one of the top public universities in the world...
under the supervision of H. Richard Crane.
He was a Professor of Physics at
Princeton UniversityPrinceton University a private university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League and is considered one of the Colonial Colleges....
from 1965 until his retirement in 2002.
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David Todd Wilkinson (13 May 1935 – 5 September 2002) was a world-renowned pioneer in the field of
cosmologyPhysical cosmology, as a branch of astronomy, is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of our universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. Cosmology involves itself with studying the motions of the celestial bodies and the first cause....
, specializing in the study of the cosmic microwave background radiation (
CMBCMB can mean:*Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka's only international airport *C.M.B., the debut album of American R&B artist Color Me Badd*Cavalier Marching Band, the marching band of the University of Virginia...
) left over from the
Big BangThe Big Bang is the cosmological model of the initial conditions and subsequent development of the Universe that is supported by the most comprehensive and accurate explanations from current scientific evidence and observation...
. He was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, and earned his Ph.D. in physics at the
University of MichiganThe University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a public research university located in the state of Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university, the flagship campus of the University of Michigan, and one of the top public universities in the world...
under the supervision of H. Richard Crane.
He was a Professor of Physics at
Princeton UniversityPrinceton University a private university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League and is considered one of the Colonial Colleges....
from 1965 until his retirement in 2002. He made fundamental contributions to many major CMB experiments, including two
NASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program. NASA was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958, replacing its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for...
satellites, the Cosmic Background Explorer (
COBEThe Cosmic Background Explorer , also referred to as Explorer 66, was a satellite dedicated to cosmology. Its goals were to investigate the cosmic microwave background radiation of the universe and provide measurements that would help shape our understanding of the cosmos.This work provided...
) and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), which was named in his honor after his untimely death due to cancer.
His numerous accolades include the Princeton President's Award for Distinguished Teaching and
the
James Craig Watson Medalthumb|right|400px|James Craig Watson MedalThe James Craig Watson Medal was established by the bequest of James Craig Watson, and is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for contributions to astronomy.The recipients have been:-External links:*...
(2001).