Charles Thomas Bolton
Encyclopedia
Charles Thomas or Tom Bolton (born 1943) is an American astronomer who was the first astronomer to present strong evidence of the existence of a black hole
.
Bolton received his Bachelor’s in 1966 from the University of Illinois, followed by a 1968 Master’s and a 1970 doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan
. Bolton then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the David Dunlap Observatory
, teaching there until 1972. He taught at Scarborough College
from 1971 to 1972, and at Erindale College
from 1972 to 1973, but since 1973, has been affiliated with the University of Toronto
astronomy department, where he is now an emeritus professor.
In 1971, as a post-doctoral fellow and part-time faculty member studying binary systems at the Dunlap Observatory, Bolton observed star HDE 226868 wobble as if it was orbiting around an invisible but massive companion emitting powerful X-rays, independently of the work by Louise Webster and Paul Murdin, at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Further analysis gave an estimate about the amount of mass needed for the gravitational pull, which proved to be too much for a neutron star
. After further observations confirms the results, by 1973, the astronomical community generally recognized black hole
Cygnus X-1
, lying in the plane of the Milky Way
galaxy at a galactic latitude of about 3 degrees.
In 2008, controversy erupted over the University of Toronto
's decision to sell the David Dunlap Observatory
, the largest single mirror in Canada, but considered small by modern standards. Bolton and the Richmond Hill Naturalists contend the Observatory and 190 acre (0.7689034 km²) of parkland and arboretum should all be designated as a Provincial Heritage site and not allowed for suburban housing or apartment development. Despite a pending hearing to make arguments in front of the Province of Ontario's Conservation Review Board under the Province's Heritage Act, on July 2, 2008, the University announced an imminent sale of the land to local developers and kicked Bolton out. Frustrated, Bolton watched as helpers carried out boxes with 37 years of his work.
Bolton is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
.
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
.
Bolton received his Bachelor’s in 1966 from the University of Illinois, followed by a 1968 Master’s and a 1970 doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. Bolton then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the David Dunlap Observatory
David Dunlap Observatory
The David Dunlap Observatory is a large astronomical observatory site once owned by the University of Toronto, located just north of the city in Richmond Hill, Ontario within a estate. Its primary instrument is a 74-inch reflector telescope, at one time the second largest telescope in the world,...
, teaching there until 1972. He taught at Scarborough College
Scarborough College
Scarborough College is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-18 years. It is located in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England and was founded in 1898. The school has been an International Baccalaureate World School since June 2006...
from 1971 to 1972, and at Erindale College
Erindale College
Erindale College may refer to:* Erindale College, a secondary college located in Wanniassa, Australian Capital Territory* Erindale College, an alternate name for the University of Toronto Mississauga...
from 1972 to 1973, but since 1973, has been affiliated with the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
astronomy department, where he is now an emeritus professor.
In 1971, as a post-doctoral fellow and part-time faculty member studying binary systems at the Dunlap Observatory, Bolton observed star HDE 226868 wobble as if it was orbiting around an invisible but massive companion emitting powerful X-rays, independently of the work by Louise Webster and Paul Murdin, at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Further analysis gave an estimate about the amount of mass needed for the gravitational pull, which proved to be too much for a neutron star
Neutron star
A neutron star is a type of stellar remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star during a Type II, Type Ib or Type Ic supernova event. Such stars are composed almost entirely of neutrons, which are subatomic particles without electrical charge and with a slightly larger...
. After further observations confirms the results, by 1973, the astronomical community generally recognized black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
Cygnus X-1
Cygnus X-1
Cygnus X-1 is a well-known galactic X-ray source in the constellation Cygnus. It was discovered in 1964 during a rocket flight and is one of the strongest X-ray sources seen from Earth, producing a peak X-ray flux density of 2.3 Wm−2Hz−1...
, lying in the plane of the Milky Way
Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains the Solar System. This name derives from its appearance as a dim un-resolved "milky" glowing band arching across the night sky...
galaxy at a galactic latitude of about 3 degrees.
In 2008, controversy erupted over the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
's decision to sell the David Dunlap Observatory
David Dunlap Observatory
The David Dunlap Observatory is a large astronomical observatory site once owned by the University of Toronto, located just north of the city in Richmond Hill, Ontario within a estate. Its primary instrument is a 74-inch reflector telescope, at one time the second largest telescope in the world,...
, the largest single mirror in Canada, but considered small by modern standards. Bolton and the Richmond Hill Naturalists contend the Observatory and 190 acre (0.7689034 km²) of parkland and arboretum should all be designated as a Provincial Heritage site and not allowed for suburban housing or apartment development. Despite a pending hearing to make arguments in front of the Province of Ontario's Conservation Review Board under the Province's Heritage Act, on July 2, 2008, the University announced an imminent sale of the land to local developers and kicked Bolton out. Frustrated, Bolton watched as helpers carried out boxes with 37 years of his work.
Bolton is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
.