Distinguished Astronomer Was Inspired By Cincinnati Observatory

Although Donald Osterbrock’s accomplishments are many and remarkable over the years, there are two which stand out to make him more than deserving of this award.  First, he has been credited with almost single-handedly saving the Cincinnati Observatory Center, which is in the process of being privatized and is now a National Historic Landmark.  Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, his book Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae (and its expanded Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei) has been and is used as a definitive reference, and has been so for half a century.  This is a remarkable achievement.  His work has taught a generation of astrophysicists much of what they know about the interstellar medium.

Donald Osterbrock developed an interest in physics and astronomy at an early age.  A fortuitous meeting with Dr. Paul Herget fueled his interest, and he received a bachelor’s degree in physics and graduate degrees in astronomy at the University of Chicago.  He spent the next 15 years at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he taught and wrote the preeminent Astrophysics textbook, which is about to be expanded in its third edition.

He was offered and accepted the Directorship of the Lick Observatory in Santa Cruz, California, which is among the most productive research institutes in astronomy.  They operate the 3m Shane Telescope and jointly operate the Keck Telescope, which are the two largest telescopes in the world.

Dr. Osterbrock is now 80 years old and is officially retired, but continues to mentor and work with students, and is a highly valued and regarded researcher and contributor.  His awards include the highest honors bestowed upon astronomers in the world.