Harlow Shapley

Harlow Shapley
BornNovember 2, 1885
DiedOctober 20, 1972(1972-10-20) (aged 86)
Alma materUniversity of Missouri, Princeton University
Known forDetermining correct position of Sun within Milky Way Galaxy; head of Harvard College Observatory (1921–1952)
Children5, including
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsAstronomy
Doctoral advisorHenry Norris Russell
Doctoral studentsCecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, Carl Seyfert
Other notable studentsGeorges Lemaître

Harlow Shapley (November 2, 1885 – October 20, 1972) was an American scientist, head of the Harvard College Observatory (1921–1952), and political activist during the latter New Deal and Fair Deal.[1][2]

Shapley used Cepheid variable stars to estimate the size of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Sun's position within it.[3] In 1953 he proposed his "liquid water belt" theory, now known as the concept of a habitable zone.[4]

  1. ^ Goldberg, Leo (January 1973). "Obituary: Harlow Shapley". Physics Today. 26 (1): 107–108. Bibcode:1973PhT....26a.107G. doi:10.1063/1.3127920.
  2. ^ "Dr. Harlow Shapley Dies at 86. Dean of American Astronomers. Dr. Harlow Shapley, Dean of American Astronomers, Dies at 86". The New York Times. October 21, 1972. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  3. ^ Bart J. Bok. Harlow Shapely 1885–1972 A Biographical Memoir. National Academy of Sciences
  4. ^ Richard J. Hugget, Geoecology: An Evolutionary Approach. p. 10