Eric Becklin
Encyclopedia
Eric E. Becklin is an American astrophysicist, best known for his pioneering study of infra-red sources at the center of our galaxy.
Becklin received his Ph.D.
in physics
from the California Institute of Technology
. A faculty member since 1989, Becklin is a Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy
at UCLA
. Named SOFIA
Chief Scientist in 1996, he was the first director of the NASA
Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF
) at Mauna Kea
, Hawaii and a principal investigator on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO
). Becklin is internationally recognized for his expertise and research in infrared astronomy.
The primary focus of Becklin's research is infrared
imaging and spectroscopy, including the search for brown dwarf
s, the detection of circumstellar dust
rings, the dynamics and composition of the center of the Milky Way
galaxy, and the nature of luminous infrared galaxies.
Becklin is Chief Scientist for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
(SOFIA), which is a 2.7m infrared telescope installed in a modified Boeing 747-SP.
Becklin is widely known for his discovery with Gerry Neugebauer in 1966 of an exceptionally bright infrared source within Orion
known today as the Becklin-Neugebauer Object
. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 2009.
Becklin received his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
. A faculty member since 1989, Becklin is a Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
at UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. Named SOFIA
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the...
Chief Scientist in 1996, he was the first director of the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF
Infrared Telescope Facility
The NASA Infrared Telescope Facility is a telescope optimized for use in infrared astronomy and located at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawai'i. It was first built to support the Voyager missions and is now the USA national facility for infrared astronomy, providing continued support to...
) at Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, much of the mountain is under water; when measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over tall—significantly taller than Mount Everest...
, Hawaii and a principal investigator on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO
Kuiper Airborne Observatory
The Gerard P. Kuiper Airborne Observatory was a national facility operated by NASA to support research in infrared astronomy. The observation platform was a highly modified C-141A jet transport aircraft with a range of 6,000 nautical miles , capable of conducting research operations up to 48,000...
). Becklin is internationally recognized for his expertise and research in infrared astronomy.
The primary focus of Becklin's research is infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
imaging and spectroscopy, including the search for brown dwarf
Brown dwarf
Brown dwarfs are sub-stellar objects which are too low in mass to sustain hydrogen-1 fusion reactions in their cores, which is characteristic of stars on the main sequence. Brown dwarfs have fully convective surfaces and interiors, with no chemical differentiation by depth...
s, the detection of circumstellar dust
Circumstellar dust
Circumstellar Dust is astronomical dust around a star. It can be in the form of a spherical shell or a disk, e.g. an accretion disk. Circumstellar dust can be responsible for significant extinction and is usually the source of an infrared excess for stars that have it.The motion of circumstellar...
rings, the dynamics and composition of the center of the Milky Way
Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System. This name derives from its appearance as a dim un-resolved "milky" glowing band arching across the night sky...
galaxy, and the nature of luminous infrared galaxies.
Becklin is Chief Scientist for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the...
(SOFIA), which is a 2.7m infrared telescope installed in a modified Boeing 747-SP.
Becklin is widely known for his discovery with Gerry Neugebauer in 1966 of an exceptionally bright infrared source within Orion
Orion (constellation)
Orion, often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous, and most recognizable constellations in the night sky...
known today as the Becklin-Neugebauer Object
Becklin-Neugebauer Object
The Becklin-Neugebauer Object ' is an object visible only in the infrared in the Orion Molecular Cloud. It was discovered in 1967 by Eric Becklin and Gerry Neugebauer during their near-infrared survey of the Orion Nebula....
. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 2009.
Educational background
- B.S., Physics, University of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, 1963 - Ph.D., Physics, California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of TechnologyThe California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
, 1968