Albert George Wilson

Albert George Wilson (July 28, 1918 – August 27, 2012) was an American astronomer and a discoverer of minor planets.[2][3]

Minor planets discovered: 5 [1]
1620 Geographos14 September 1951list [A]
1915 Quetzálcoatl9 March 1953list
1980 Tezcatlipoca19 June 1950list [B]
10000 Myriostos30 September 1951list
(118162) 1951 SX29 September 1951list
Co-discovery made with:
A R. Minkowski
B Å. A. E. Wallenquist

He was born in Houston, Texas. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Caltech in 1947; his thesis title was Axially Symmetric Thermal Stresses in a Semi-Infinite Solid advised by Harry Bateman.

In 1949 he accepted a job at Palomar Observatory, and led the Palomar Sky Survey. In 1953 he became assistant director of Lowell Observatory, and served as director from 1954 to 1957. He later worked at Rand Corporation and other private sector positions. In 1962 he became founding editor of the astronomical magazine Icarus. In 1966, he accepted the position of associate director of McDonnell-Douglas Corporation Advanced Research Laboratories (DARL), which he held from 1966 until 1972. Wilson then became an adjunct professor at USC, teaching courses in philosophy and science until his retirement. After retiring Wilson was associated with the Institute on Man and Science and the Institute of the Future, lecturing and consulting for both groups.[2]

He discovered a number of asteroids, and also co-discovered the periodic comet 107P/Wilson–Harrington with Robert George Harrington. The object is also known as the minor planet 4015 Wilson–Harrington.[4]

References
  1. "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  2. Joseph S. Tenn – Sonoma State University. "Albert G. Wilson (1918 - 2012)". American Astronomical Society. Archived from the original on 2019-03-23. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  3. "Albert George Wilson". lowell. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  4. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(4015) Wilson-Harrington". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (4015) Wilson-Harrington. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 342. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_3999. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.


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