Ronald Gordon Giovanelli | |
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![]() The Shine Dome at the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra, Australia | |
Born | Grafton, New South Wales, Australia
30 April 1915 |
Died | Camperdown, New South Wales
27 January 1984 (aged 69) |
Nationality | Australian |
Education | Fort Street High School, The University of Sydney (1933 — 1937) |
Alma mater | The University of Sydney |
Known for | Astrophysics, Optics |
Spouse | Katherine Hazel Gordon (m. 1947) |
Awards | Edgeworth David Medal, 1949 |
Elected | 1962, Fellowship of Australian Academy of Science |
Ronald Gordon Giovanelli, DSc, FAA[1] (/dʒoʊvɑ’nɛli/; 30 April 1915 — 27 January 1984) was an Australian solar researcher, astronomer and physicist,[2] who contributed to the fields of astrophysics, solar physics, radiative transfer, and astronomical optics.[3] His career spanned more than 40 years, commencing prior to World War II.[4] Giovanelli was the recipient of the 1949 Edgeworth David Medal by the Royal Society of New South Wales for the discipline of astrophysics, which recognises distinguished contributions by scientists under the age of 35 in their respective fields.[5] He was also elected into the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science in 1962 for his contributions in the field of physics.[6]
Giovanelli served as Chief of the Physics Division of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) from 1958 to 1976, during which he also became Chairman of the Australian National Committee from 1962–1965, President of the Astronomical Society of Australia from 1968 to 1971, and President of Commission 12 (Solar Radiation) of the International Astronomical Union from 1973 to 1976. He served as Chairman of the Australian National Committee for Solar-Terrestrial Physics in 1973, and from 1979–81.[6]