Donald E. Brownlee
Encyclopedia
Don Brownlee is a professor of astronomy at the University of Washington (Seattle) and the principal investigator for NASA's STARDUST
mission. His primary research interests include astrobiology, comets, cosmic dust, and porsche evangelism.
, prior to attending graduate school at the University of Washington
. Brownlee received his doctorate in astronomy from the University of Washington in 1971, joining the Astronomy Department as faculty in 1975. He has also conducted research as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Enrico Fermi Institute
at the University of Chicago. Brownlee is co-author with paleontologist Peter Ward of two books, "Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe" (http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleid=1820) and "The Life and Death of Planet Earth" (http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleid=3353).
- is the first mineral found from a comet. He has been awarded the J. Lawrence Smith Medal
from the National Academy of Sciences, the Leonard Medal
from the Meteoritical Society, and the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement.
Stardust (spacecraft)
Stardust is a 300-kilogram robotic space probe launched by NASA on February 7, 1999 to study the asteroid 5535 Annefrank and collect samples from the coma of comet Wild 2. The primary mission was completed January 15, 2006, when the sample return capsule returned to Earth...
mission. His primary research interests include astrobiology, comets, cosmic dust, and porsche evangelism.
Education & Employment
Brownlee studied electrical engineering at University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, prior to attending graduate school at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. Brownlee received his doctorate in astronomy from the University of Washington in 1971, joining the Astronomy Department as faculty in 1975. He has also conducted research as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Enrico Fermi Institute
Enrico Fermi Institute
The Institute for Nuclear Studies was founded September, 1945 as part of the University of Chicago with Samuel King Allison as director. On November 20, 1955 it was renamed The Enrico Fermi Institute for Nuclear Studies...
at the University of Chicago. Brownlee is co-author with paleontologist Peter Ward of two books, "Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe" (http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleid=1820) and "The Life and Death of Planet Earth" (http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleid=3353).
Honors
In 1991, Asteroid 3259 was named after Brownlee. Also, the International Mineralogical Association has named a new mineral in honor of Donald Brownlee. This new mineral - brownleeiteBrownleeite
Brownleeite is a silicide mineral with chemical formula MnSi. It was discovered by researchers of the Johnson Space Center in Houston while analyzing the Pi Puppid particle shower of the comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup.- Overview :...
- is the first mineral found from a comet. He has been awarded the J. Lawrence Smith Medal
J. Lawrence Smith Medal
J. Lawrence Smith Medal is awarded by the National Academy of Sciences for investigations of meteoric bodies. The medal is in honor of its namesake, J. Lawrence Smith.-Further reading:* Willson, Lee Anne. Presented April 2006....
from the National Academy of Sciences, the Leonard Medal
Leonard Medal
The Leonard Medal honors outstanding contributions to the science of meteoritics and closely allied fields. It is awarded by the Meteoritical Society. It was established in 1962 to honor the first President of the Society, Frederick C. Leonard....
from the Meteoritical Society, and the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement.