John Paul Wild
Encyclopedia
Dr John Paul Wild AC CBE MA ScD (Cantab.) FRS FTSE FAA (17 May 192310 May 2008) was a British
-born Australia
n radio astronomer
and national science leader who served as chairman of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO) 1978-1985.
Paul Wild was born in Sheffield
, England
in 1923. His scientific specialization was radio astronomy
, including radio observations of the Sun
. The Paul Wild Observatory
at Narrabri, New South Wales
is named after him. In 1972 he invented the Interscan microwave landing system
. In 1984, a year before his retirement from CSIRO, he instigated and subsequently led the Very Fast Train project, intended to run TGV
-like trains between Sydney and Melbourne via Canberra. The project collapsed in 1991, principally through half-hearted cooperation by some of the four governments involved. He died in 2008 in Canberra
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-born Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n radio astronomer
Radio astronomy
Radio astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that studies celestial objects at radio frequencies. The initial detection of radio waves from an astronomical object was made in the 1930s, when Karl Jansky observed radiation coming from the Milky Way. Subsequent observations have identified a number of...
and national science leader who served as chairman of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is the national government body for scientific research in Australia...
(CSIRO) 1978-1985.
Paul Wild was born in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1923. His scientific specialization was radio astronomy
Radio astronomy
Radio astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that studies celestial objects at radio frequencies. The initial detection of radio waves from an astronomical object was made in the 1930s, when Karl Jansky observed radiation coming from the Milky Way. Subsequent observations have identified a number of...
, including radio observations of the Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
. The Paul Wild Observatory
Paul Wild Observatory
A number of major astronomical facilities are located at the Paul Wild Observatory near Narrabri, Australia, including:* The Australia Telescope Compact Array radio telescope...
at Narrabri, New South Wales
Narrabri, New South Wales
Narrabri is a town and seat of Narrabri Shire Council Local Government Area in the North West Slopes, New South Wales, Australia. Narrabri is situated on the Namoi River and lies northwest of Sydney. It sits on the junction of the Kamilaroi Highway and the Newell Highway...
is named after him. In 1972 he invented the Interscan microwave landing system
Microwave landing system
A microwave landing system is an all-weather, precision landing system originally intended to replace or supplement instrument landing systems...
. In 1984, a year before his retirement from CSIRO, he instigated and subsequently led the Very Fast Train project, intended to run TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
-like trains between Sydney and Melbourne via Canberra. The project collapsed in 1991, principally through half-hearted cooperation by some of the four governments involved. He died in 2008 in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
.
Honours
Paul Wild received the following honours for his research and science leadership:- Commander of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(1978) for service to the science of radiophysics.
- Companion of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1986), for service to science and to the CSIRO.
- Centenary MedalCentenary MedalThe Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
(2001), for service to Australian society and to science and to the CSIRO.
- Edgeworth David Medal, Royal Society of New South WalesRoyal Society of New South WalesThe Royal Society of New South Wales is a learned society based in Sydney, Australia. It was established as the Philosophical Society of Australasia on 27 June 1821...
(1957).
- The Arctowski MedalArctowski MedalThe Arctowski Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for studies in solar physics and solar-terrestrial relationships." Named in honor of Henryk Arctowski, it was first awarded in 1969.- List of Arctowski Medal winners :...
, National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(1969).
- Balthasar van der Pol Gold Medal, International Union of Radio ScienceInternational Union of Radio ScienceThe International Union of Radio Science is one of 26 international scientific unions affiliated to the International Council for Science.- History and objectives :...
(1969).
- Herschel Medal, Royal Astronomical SocietyRoyal Astronomical SocietyThe Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
(1974).
- Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal, Australian Academy of ScienceAustralian Academy of ScienceThe Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The Academy is modelled after the Royal Society and operates under a Royal Charter; as such it is...
(1975).
- Royal Medal, The Royal Society (1980).
- Hale Prize for Solar Astronomy, American Astronomical SocietyAmerican Astronomical SocietyThe American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
(1980).
- ANZAAS Medal, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of ScienceAustralian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of ScienceThe Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science is an organisation that was founded in 1888 by Archibald Liversidge as the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to promote science. It was modelled on the British Association for the Advancement of Science...
(1984).
- Hartnett Medal, Royal Society of ArtsRoyal Society of ArtsThe Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
London (1988).