Sargent, Wallace Leslie William, 1935-2012
Oral history interview with Wallace L. W. Sargent, 2003 February 12 and 13.
A biographical interview with Wal Sargent. An effort was made not to focus on topics covered in previous interviews. The focus is on childhood and schooling and various professional appointments as well as discussion of atmosphere and research at Caltech; interest in elemental abundances and B2FH paper. Personal research at Caltech including work on QSO and research with Peter Young; extensive discussion on the use of telescopes including learning to observe and use of Image Photon Counting System in the 1970s and1980s. Role of serendipity in science and WS's interest in astronomical peculiarities. Also includes discussion of Sargent's personal interests including music and sports (especially sumo wrestling).
A British (naturalized U. S) astronomer. Ira S. Bowen Professor of Astronomy at California Institute of Technology since 1981; Director of Palomar Observatory, 1997-2000.
Sargent, Wallace Leslie William, 1935-2012
Young, Peter.
California Institute of Technology. Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
California Institute of Technology -- Faculty.
Palomar Observatory.
Astronomy.
Serendipity in science
Telescopes.
Interviews. aat
Oral histories. aat
Transcripts. aat
McCray, Patrick (W. Patrick), interviewer.
AIP-ICOS
American Institute of Physics. Niels Bohr Library & Archives. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA