Kenneth Edgeworth
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Essex Edgeworth, DSO
, MC
(26 February 1880 – 10 October 1972) was an Irish
astronomer
, economist
and engineer
. He is best known for proposing the existence of a disc of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune
in the 1940s in much the same manner as Gerard Kuiper
would publish ten years later. Observations later confirmed the existence of what has become known, somewhat controversially, as the Kuiper belt
.
Edgeworth was born in Streete, County Westmeath
, where his uncle built an observatory
. After winning a scholarship to study in Britain, he would go on to a military career as an officer with the Royal Engineers
, earning decorations during World War I
. He is also one of the last winners of the Pollock Medal
. He returned to Ireland in the 1930s, and became both a published international economist
and planetary astronomer.
The asteroid
3487 Edgeworth
is named in his honour.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(26 February 1880 – 10 October 1972) was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
, economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
and engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. He is best known for proposing the existence of a disc of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune
Neptune
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in the Solar System. Named for the Roman god of the sea, it is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third largest by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth and is slightly more massive than its near-twin Uranus, which is 15 times...
in the 1940s in much the same manner as Gerard Kuiper
Gerard Kuiper
Gerard Peter Kuiper , Netherlands – December 24, 1973, Mexico City) was a Dutch-American astronomer after whom the Kuiper belt was named.-Early life:...
would publish ten years later. Observations later confirmed the existence of what has become known, somewhat controversially, as the Kuiper belt
Kuiper belt
The Kuiper belt , sometimes called the Edgeworth–Kuiper belt, is a region of the Solar System beyond the planets extending from the orbit of Neptune to approximately 50 AU from the Sun. It is similar to the asteroid belt, although it is far larger—20 times as wide and 20 to 200 times as massive...
.
Edgeworth was born in Streete, County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
, where his uncle built an observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
. After winning a scholarship to study in Britain, he would go on to a military career as an officer with the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
, earning decorations during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He is also one of the last winners of the Pollock Medal
Pollock Medal
The Pollock Medal is a prize awarded to the best cadet of the season, in commemoration of Sir George Pollock's exploits in Afghanistan, first at the East India Company's Military Seminary, at Addiscombe Military Academy, and later at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.- Foundation :In 1844, the...
. He returned to Ireland in the 1930s, and became both a published international economist
International economics
International economics is concerned with the effects upon economic activity of international differences in productive resources and consumer preferences and the institutions that affect them...
and planetary astronomer.
The asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
3487 Edgeworth
3487 Edgeworth
3487 Edgeworth is a Main-belt asteroid discovered on October 28, 1978 by H. L. Giclas at Flagstaff.- External links :*...
is named in his honour.