Karl Rawer
Encyclopedia
Karl Rawer is a German specialist in radio wave propagation
and the ionosphere
who developed the analytical code to determine suitable frequency ranges for short wave communication by which the German forces successfully built-up their long distance communications during World War II
.
After studies of mathematics and physics in Freiburg
and Munich
(with Arnold Sommerfeld
) he wrote under Jonathan Zenneck
a thesis on partial reflection of radio waves in an ionospheric layer. Aware of this Johannes Plendl
charged him to serve as adviser for the Shortwave
communications of the German Luftwaffe
, since 1943 for Navy and Army too. Rawer's code assumes zig-zag paths between Earth and ionosphere. Monthly predictions take statistically account of day-to-day variations. Long term changes with the different Solar cycle
s is taken account of by Wolfgang Gleißberg´s prediction method.
After the war Yves Rocard
, then director of French Navy research, impressed by this code, engaged Rawer as directeur scientifique (1946–56) of his newly founded "Service de Prevision Ionospherique". Later (1956–69) Rawer, now serving in Germany as director of "Ionosphären-Institut Breisach" switched to space research. With his team he participated in the first French scientific rocket launch 1954 in the Sahara and later they had experiments aboard rockets of different nationality.
From 1958 to 1964 he was professeur associe at the University of Paris
. Rawer held several offices in the international space research organisation COSPAR
. As director of "Fraunhofer-Institut für physikalische Weltraumforschung" (1969–79) he became the father of two German/Us satellites (AEROS, 1972 and ´75). He was actively engaged in the International Geophysical Year
(gold button 2007) and follow-up international projects. In the "International Union of Radio Science" URSI
he served with William Roy Piggott
as co-author of the still valid booklet on ionogram reduction and was vice-chairman and chairman of the ionospheric committee 1966–72. He is the father and longtime chairman of the International Reference Ionosphere
that is International Standard since 1999.
Rawer is doctor honoris causa of the university at Düsseldorf, corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics
and of "Oesterreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften Wien".
{Persondata
| NAME = Rawer, Karl
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 19, 1913
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Neunkirchen-Saar
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
Radio propagation
Radio propagation is the behavior of radio waves when they are transmitted, or propagated from one point on the Earth to another, or into various parts of the atmosphere...
and the ionosphere
Ionosphere
The ionosphere is a part of the upper atmosphere, comprising portions of the mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere...
who developed the analytical code to determine suitable frequency ranges for short wave communication by which the German forces successfully built-up their long distance communications during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After studies of mathematics and physics in Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
and Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
(with Arnold Sommerfeld
Arnold Sommerfeld
Arnold Johannes Wilhelm Sommerfeld was a German theoretical physicist who pioneered developments in atomic and quantum physics, and also educated and groomed a large number of students for the new era of theoretical physics...
) he wrote under Jonathan Zenneck
Jonathan Zenneck
Jonathan Adolf Wilhelm Zenneck was a physicist and electrical engineer. Zenneck was born in Ruppertshofen, Württemberg. Zenneck contributed to researches in radio circuit performance and to the scientific and educational contributions to the literature of the pioneer radio art...
a thesis on partial reflection of radio waves in an ionospheric layer. Aware of this Johannes Plendl
Johannes Plendl
Johannes "Hans" Plendl , German radar pioneer, was the scientist whose radio navigation techniques made possible the early German bombing successes in World War II.-Biography:...
charged him to serve as adviser for the Shortwave
Shortwave
Shortwave radio refers to the upper MF and all of the HF portion of the radio spectrum, between 1,800–30,000 kHz. Shortwave radio received its name because the wavelengths in this band are shorter than 200 m which marked the original upper limit of the medium frequency band first used...
communications of the German Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
, since 1943 for Navy and Army too. Rawer's code assumes zig-zag paths between Earth and ionosphere. Monthly predictions take statistically account of day-to-day variations. Long term changes with the different Solar cycle
Solar cycle
The solar cycle, or the solar magnetic activity cycle, is a periodic change in the amount of irradiation from the Sun that is experienced on Earth. It has a period of about 11 years, and is one component of solar variation, the other being aperiodic fluctuations. Solar variation causes changes in...
s is taken account of by Wolfgang Gleißberg´s prediction method.
After the war Yves Rocard
Yves Rocard
Yves-André Rocard was a French physicist who helped develop the atomic bomb for France.After obtaining a double doctorate in mathematics and physics he was awarded the professorship in electronic physics at the École normale supérieure in Paris.As a member of a Resistance group during the Second...
, then director of French Navy research, impressed by this code, engaged Rawer as directeur scientifique (1946–56) of his newly founded "Service de Prevision Ionospherique". Later (1956–69) Rawer, now serving in Germany as director of "Ionosphären-Institut Breisach" switched to space research. With his team he participated in the first French scientific rocket launch 1954 in the Sahara and later they had experiments aboard rockets of different nationality.
From 1958 to 1964 he was professeur associe at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. Rawer held several offices in the international space research organisation COSPAR
COSPAR
The Committee on Space Research was established by the International Council for Science in 1958.Among COSPAR's objectives are the promotion of scientific research in space on an international level, with emphasis on the free exchange of results, information, and opinions, and providing a forum,...
. As director of "Fraunhofer-Institut für physikalische Weltraumforschung" (1969–79) he became the father of two German/Us satellites (AEROS, 1972 and ´75). He was actively engaged in the International Geophysical Year
International Geophysical Year
The International Geophysical Year was an international scientific project that lasted from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. It marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West was seriously interrupted...
(gold button 2007) and follow-up international projects. In the "International Union of Radio Science" URSI
Ursi
Urşi may refer to several villages in Romania:* Urşi, a village in Leleasca Commune, Olt County* Urşi, a village in Popeşti Commune, Vâlcea County* Urşi, a village in Stoileşti Commune, Vâlcea County...
he served with William Roy Piggott
William Roy Piggott
William Roy Piggott was a student of Sir Edward Appleton who transferred a large group of German specialists from Austria into the British Zone of Occupation in Germany in 1945...
as co-author of the still valid booklet on ionogram reduction and was vice-chairman and chairman of the ionospheric committee 1966–72. He is the father and longtime chairman of the International Reference Ionosphere
International Reference Ionosphere
International Reference Ionosphere is a common permanent scientific project of the Committee on Space Research and the International Union of Radio Science started 1968/69...
that is International Standard since 1999.
Rawer is doctor honoris causa of the university at Düsseldorf, corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics
International Academy of Astronautics
The International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
and of "Oesterreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften Wien".
Biography
- Karl Rawer: "Meine Kinder umkreisen die Erde"(autobiography). Herder, Freiburg i. Brsg.,159 S. 1986, ISBN 3-451-08226-8
- Bodo W. Reinisch: "Karl Rawer´s lfe and the history of the IRI". Adv.Space Res.34, 1845R 2004
- Dieter Bilitza: "35 Years of International Reference Ionosphre - Karl Rawer´s legacy".Adv.Radio Sci.2,283, 2004
Internet sources
- Bernhard´s Seite:Literaturverzeichnis von Prof. Dr. Karl Rawer
- International Reference Ionosphere: ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/modelweb/ionos/iri.html
{Persondata
| NAME = Rawer, Karl
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 19, 1913
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Neunkirchen-Saar
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}