Harlan True Stetson
Encyclopedia
Harlan True Stetson was an American
astronomer
and physicist
.
He earned a B.S.
from Brown University
in 1912, a M.A.
from Dartmouth College
, then a Ph.D.
at Harvard University
in 1915. His thesis
was titled, On an Apparatus and Method for Thermo-Electric Measurements for Photographic Photometry.
Stetson joined Dartmouth in 1918 to teach physics
, then moved to Harvard where he taught astronomy until 1929. He then became the directory of the Perkins Observatory
.
In 1936 he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. He directed the MIT Cosmic Terrestrial Research Laboratory from 1940 until 1950, and performed research into the relationship between the cosmos and the Earth. His studies included sunspot
s, the Earth's crust, and the propagation of radio
waves.
The crater Stetson
on the Moon is named in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
and physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
.
He earned a B.S.
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...
from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1912, a M.A.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
, then a 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...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1915. His thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
was titled, On an Apparatus and Method for Thermo-Electric Measurements for Photographic Photometry.
Stetson joined Dartmouth in 1918 to teach 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...
, then moved to Harvard where he taught astronomy until 1929. He then became the directory of the Perkins Observatory
Perkins Observatory
Perkins Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Delaware, Ohio. It is owned and operated by Ohio Wesleyan University.-Early history:The observatory is named for Hiram Perkins, a professor of mathematics and astronomy at the Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio from 1857 to 1907...
.
In 1936 he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. He directed the MIT Cosmic Terrestrial Research Laboratory from 1940 until 1950, and performed research into the relationship between the cosmos and the Earth. His studies included sunspot
Sunspot
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection by an effect comparable to the eddy current brake, forming areas of reduced surface temperature....
s, the Earth's crust, and the propagation of radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
waves.
The crater Stetson
Stetson (crater)
Stetson is the remains of a crater on the far side of the Moon. The northeastern part of the rim of Stetson has been overlain by the larger crater Blackett. Lying across the eastern rim is a double-crater formation consisting of the satellites Stetson E and Stetson G...
on the Moon is named in his honor.