James Van Allen

James Van Allen
Van Allen at the National Air and Space Museum, 1977
Born
James Alfred Van Allen

(1914-09-07)September 7, 1914
DiedAugust 9, 2006(2006-08-09) (aged 91)
Education
Known for
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsSpace science
Institutions
ThesisAbsolute cross-section for the nuclear disintegration H2 + H2 → H1 + H3 and its dependence on bombarding energy (1939)
Doctoral advisorAlexander Ellett
Doctoral students
Other notable studentsNicholas M. Smith
Robert Ellis

James Alfred Van Allen (September 7, 1914 – August 9, 2006) was an American space physicist at the University of Iowa. He was instrumental in establishing the field of magnetospheric research in space.

The Van Allen radiation belts were named after him, following his discovery using Geiger–Müller tube instruments on the 1958 satellites (Explorer 1, Explorer 3, and Pioneer 3)[2][3][4] during the International Geophysical Year. Van Allen led the scientific community in putting scientific research instruments on space satellites.

  1. ^ Garber, Steve (November 20, 2006). "Sputnik Biographies—James A. Van Allen (1914– )". history.nasa.gov. NASA. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  2. ^ "Explorer 1 Scientific instrument". NSSDCA Master Catalog. NASA. 1958-001A-01. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  3. ^ "Explorer 3 Scientific instrument". NSSDCA Master Catalog. NASA. 1958-003A-01. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  4. ^ "Pioneer 3 Scientific instrument". NSSDCA Master Catalog. NASA. 1958-008A-01. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2013.