Joshua Bloom
Encyclopedia
Joshua Simon Bloom is an American astrophysicist and associate professor
of astronomy
at the University of California, Berkeley
. He received a Bachelor of Arts
in astronomy
and astrophysics
and physics
from the Harvard College
in 1996, an M.Phil from Cambridge University in 1997, and a Ph.D.
in astronomy
from the California Institute of Technology
in 2002. He was a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows
from 2002 to 2005. His research focuses on gamma-ray bursts and other astrophysical transients
such as supernova
e. He is author of the book What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? published by Princeton University Press
in 2011.
of the Peters Automated Infrared Telescope (PAIRITEL) at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
in Arizona
. He is also principal investigator
of the Synoptic Infrared Survey Telescope (SASIR). Project and is currently co-chair of the transients and variable star group of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
(LSST). Some of Bloom's current work focuses on the classification
of astrophysical transients
using machine-learning
techniques.
Harvard Scholarship to Cambridge University in 1996, and was a Hertz Foundation Fellow
at the California Institute of Technology
. In 2004, Bloom was named as a Sloan Research Fellow
by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
. In 2008, he was included as one of Astronomy magazine
's ten "rising stars. In 2009, he was awarded the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy
from the American Astronomical Society
. In 2010, he was named as the Sophie
and Tycho Brahe
Visiting Professor at Copenhagen University. He is the creator of the VOEvent
messaging scheme for astronomical transients
.
to undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley
. Some of his lectures are available to the public as podcasts.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of 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 the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and 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 Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1996, an M.Phil from Cambridge University in 1997, and a Ph.D.
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...
in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
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...
in 2002. He was a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows
Harvard Society of Fellows
The Harvard Society of Fellows is a group of scholars selected at the beginning of their careers by Harvard University for extraordinary scholarly potential, upon whom distinctive academic and intellectual opportunities are bestowed in order to foster their individual growth and intellectual...
from 2002 to 2005. His research focuses on gamma-ray bursts and other astrophysical transients
Transient astronomical event
A transient astronomical event, often simply called in context by astronomers a transient, is an astronomical object or phenomenon which can be observed for a short period of time...
such as supernova
Supernova
A supernova is a stellar explosion that is more energetic than a nova. It is pronounced with the plural supernovae or supernovas. Supernovae are extremely luminous and cause a burst of radiation that often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months...
e. He is author of the book What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? published by Princeton University Press
Princeton University Press
-Further reading:* "". Artforum International, 2005.-External links:* * * * *...
in 2011.
Research
In 2009, ScienceWatch wrote that Bloom's gamma-ray bursts "work ranks at #10 by total cites, based on 85 papers cited a total of 3,639 times. Five of these papers are on the lists of the 20 most-cited papers over the past decade and over the past two years.". He has published over 150 refereed articles and is principal investigatorPrincipal investigator
A principal investigator is the lead scientist or engineer for a particular well-defined science project, such as a laboratory study or clinical trial....
of the Peters Automated Infrared Telescope (PAIRITEL) at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and is their largest field installation outside of their main site in Cambridge, MA...
in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. He is also principal investigator
Principal investigator
A principal investigator is the lead scientist or engineer for a particular well-defined science project, such as a laboratory study or clinical trial....
of the Synoptic Infrared Survey Telescope (SASIR). Project and is currently co-chair of the transients and variable star group of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is a planned wide-field "survey" reflecting telescope that will photograph the available sky every three nights. The LSST is currently in its design and development phase and will achieve engineering first light four years after construction starts...
(LSST). Some of Bloom's current work focuses on the classification
Classification
Classification may refer to:* Library classification and classification in general* Taxonomic classification * Biological classification of organisms* Medical classification* Scientific classification...
of astrophysical transients
Transient astronomical event
A transient astronomical event, often simply called in context by astronomers a transient, is an astronomical object or phenomenon which can be observed for a short period of time...
using machine-learning
Machine learning
Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, is a scientific discipline concerned with the design and development of algorithms that allow computers to evolve behaviors based on empirical data, such as from sensor data or databases...
techniques.
Honors and Awards
Bloom was awarded the Herchel SmithHerchel Smith
Herchel Smith was an Anglo-American organic chemist. His discoveries include the key inventions underlying oral and injectable contraceptives. In later life, he was a major benefactor to university science....
Harvard Scholarship to Cambridge University in 1996, and was a Hertz Foundation Fellow
Hertz Foundation
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation is an American non-profit organization that awards fellowships to Ph.D. students in the applied physical, biological and engineering sciences. It is considered to be the most competitive and prestigious graduate fellowship in science and engineering. The...
at 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...
. In 2004, Bloom was named as a Sloan Research Fellow
Sloan Fellowship
The Sloan Research Fellowships are awarded annually by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation since 1955 to "provide support and recognition to early-career scientists and scholars". This is distinct from the Sloan Fellows in business....
by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization in the United States. It was established in 1934 by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., then-President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors.-Overview:...
. In 2008, he was included as one of Astronomy magazine
Astronomy (magazine)
Astronomy is a monthly American magazine about astronomy. Targeting amateur astronomers for its readers, it contains columns on sky viewing, reader-submitted astrophotographs, and articles on astronomy and astrophysics that are readable by nonscientists....
's ten "rising stars. In 2009, he was awarded the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy
Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy
The Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy is awarded annually by the American Astronomical Society to a young astronomer for outstanding achievement in observational astronomical research.Pierce Prize winners:* 1974 Edwin M. Kellogg...
from the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
. In 2010, he was named as the Sophie
Sophia Brahe
Sophie Brahe, or Sophia, was a Danish horticulturalist and student of astronomy, chemistry, and medicine, best known for assisting her brother Tycho Brahe with his astronomical observations.-Life:...
and Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe
Tycho Brahe , born Tyge Ottesen Brahe, was a Danish nobleman known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical and planetary observations...
Visiting Professor at Copenhagen University. He is the creator of the VOEvent
VOEvent
VOEvent is a standardized language used to report observations of astronomical events; it was officially adopted in 2006 by the International Virtual Observatory Alliance...
messaging scheme for astronomical transients
Transient astronomical event
A transient astronomical event, often simply called in context by astronomers a transient, is an astronomical object or phenomenon which can be observed for a short period of time...
.
Teaching
Bloom teaches astronomyAstronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
to undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Some of his lectures are available to the public as podcasts.