Joseph W. Chamberlain

Biography

Abstract

Joseph Chamberlain was an Emeritus Professor of Space Physics and Astronomy at Rice University. His research interests included airglow spectra, resonance radiation, and the escape of planetary atmospheres. His other institutional affiliations included University of Chicago and Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Important Dates

August 24, 1928Birth, Boonville (Mo.).

1948Obtained AB, University of Missouri, Columbia (Mo.).

1949Obtained AM in physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Mich.).

1951Obtained MS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Mich.).

1951 – 1953Project Scientist, Aurora and Airglow, Cambridge Research Center, United States Air Force.

1952Obtained PhD in Astronomy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Mich.).

1953 – 1962Research Associate (1953-1955) and Assistant Professor to Professor (1955-1962), Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago, Chicago (Ill.).

1962 – 1971Associate Director (1962-1970) and Astronomer (1970-1971), Planetary Science Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson (Ariz.).

1965Member, National Academy of Sciences.

1971 – 1973Director, Lunar Science Institute, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

1971 – 2004Adjunct Professor (1971-1976); Professor of Space Physics and Astronomy (1976-1990); and Emeritus Professor of Space Physics and Astronomy (1990-2004), Rice University, Houston (Tex.).

1972 – 1975Chair, Astronomy Section, National Academy of Sciences.

1974 – 1978Member, Executive Committee, Assembly of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Research Council.

1974 – 1980Editor, Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics.

April 14, 2004Death.

Occupation

Astronomer.

Places

Birth

Boonville (Mo.)

Undergraduate Education

Columbia (Mo.)

Graduate Education

Ann Arbor (Mich.)

Employment

Chicago (Ill.)

Tucson (Ariz.)

Houston (Tex.)

Subjects

Airglow.

Astronomy.

Solar wind.

Stratosphere.

Relationships

People

Family

Chamberlain, David Wyan

Son.

Chamberlain, Gilbert

Brother.

Chamberlain, Jeffrey Scott

Son.

Chamberlain, Joy Anne

Daughter.

Chamberlain, Marilyn

Wife.

Colleagues

Herzberg, Gerhard, 1904-1999

Both employed at Yerkes Observatory.

Institutions

Major Positions

Air Force Cambridge Research Center (U.S.)

Project Scientist, Aurora and Airglow.

Kitt Peak National Observatory

Associate Director and Astronomer, Planetary Science Division.

Rice University. Space Physics and Astronomy Department

Adjunct Professor; Professor of Space Physics and Astronomy; and Emeritus Professor of Space Physics and Astronomy.

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Director, Lunar Science Institute.

Yerkes Observatory

Research Associate and Assistant Professor to Professor.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

Chair, Astronomy Section.

National Research Council (U.S.)

Member, Executive Committee, Assembly of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

University of Michigan. Astronomy Department

Obtained MS in 1951 and PhD (Astronomy) in 1952.

University of Michigan. Department of Physics

Obtained AM (Physics) in 1949.

University of Missouri--Columbia. Department of Physics and Astronomy

Obtained AB in 1948.

Wiley-Blackwell

Editor, Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics.

Resources

Archival Resources

Author

AAAS symposium proceedings on teaching astronomy in the 1970s, 1970.

Niels Bohr Library & Archives

American Institute of Physics

One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA

Joseph W. Chamberlain papers, 1951-1980.

Fondren Library. Woodson Research Center.

Rice University

P. O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77001, USA

Published Resources

Subject

Joseph W. Chamberlain: 1928-2004, Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences.