Raymond Wilson (physicist)
Encyclopedia
Raymond N. Wilson is an English physicist and telescope optics designer. His first degree was in physics from the University of Birmingham
, followed by studying engineering at Imperial College. After completing national service in 1952, he resumed his work on optics.
Wilson worked at the European Southern Observatory (ESO
) for over 20 years, from 1972 to 1993, first in Geneva
and then in Garching, Germany. Before that, he spent 11 years as Head of the Design Department for telescopes at Carl Zeiss AG in Oberkochen
, Germany. He also worked at Imperial College and at the National Physical Laboratory in the UK. His position at the ESO was Head of the Optics and Telescopes Group.
His major contributions have been in telescope optics and technology. In particular, he developed the concept of active optics
, which is now the basic principle on which large telescopes are constructed. The concept of active optics was developed first in ESO's New Technology Telescope, and then in ESO's Very Large Telescope
(VLT).
Wilson retired in 1993, writing a two-volume monograph Reflecting Telescope Optics, a leading work in the field. He also extended the design of large telescopes to the next-generation designs that use three, four, and five mirrors.
The awards bestowed for his work include the Karl Schwarzschild Medal
(1993) and a share of the Kavli Prize
(2010), as well as the Tycho Brahe Prize
(2010). He has also been made Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour
(2003) and has received the Prix Lallemand (2005) from the French Academy of Sciences
.
Wilson's other interests include history, economics, cosmology and biology.
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
, followed by studying engineering at Imperial College. After completing national service in 1952, he resumed his work on optics.
Wilson worked at the European Southern Observatory (ESO
ESO
ESO, as a three-letter abbreviation, may stand for:* European Southern Observatory* Ensemble Studios Online* English Symphony Orchestra* Edmonton Symphony Orchestra* Executive Stock Options...
) for over 20 years, from 1972 to 1993, first in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and then in Garching, Germany. Before that, he spent 11 years as Head of the Design Department for telescopes at Carl Zeiss AG in Oberkochen
Oberkochen
Oberkochen is a town in the Ostalbkreis, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.-Economy:After WWII the allied troops moved parts of the Carl Zeiss Company in Jena to Oberkochen. Today the headquarter of the Carl Zeiss AG is located in Oberkochen...
, Germany. He also worked at Imperial College and at the National Physical Laboratory in the UK. His position at the ESO was Head of the Optics and Telescopes Group.
His major contributions have been in telescope optics and technology. In particular, he developed the concept of active optics
Active optics
Active optics is a technology used with reflecting telescopes developed in the 1980s, which actively shapes a telescope's mirrors to prevent deformation due to external influences such as wind, temperature, mechanical stress...
, which is now the basic principle on which large telescopes are constructed. The concept of active optics was developed first in ESO's New Technology Telescope, and then in ESO's Very Large Telescope
Very Large Telescope
The Very Large Telescope is a telescope operated by the European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT consists of four individual telescopes, each with a primary mirror 8.2m across, which are generally used separately but can be used together to...
(VLT).
Wilson retired in 1993, writing a two-volume monograph Reflecting Telescope Optics, a leading work in the field. He also extended the design of large telescopes to the next-generation designs that use three, four, and five mirrors.
The awards bestowed for his work include the Karl Schwarzschild Medal
Karl Schwarzschild Medal
The Karl Schwarzschild Medal, named after the astrophysicist Karl Schwarzschild, is an award presented by the Astronomische Gesellschaft to eminent astronomers and astrophysicists.-Recipients:...
(1993) and a share of the Kavli Prize
Kavli Prize
The Kavli Prize was established in 2005 through a joint venture between the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, and The Kavli Foundation...
(2010), as well as the Tycho Brahe Prize
Tycho Brahe Prize
The Tycho Brahe Prize is awarded by the European Astronomical Society. Inaugurated in 2008, the prize is awarded annually in recognition of the pioneering development or exploitation of European astronomical instrumentation, or major discoveries based largely on such instruments.- Tycho Brahe Prize...
(2010). He has also been made Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(2003) and has received the Prix Lallemand (2005) from the French Academy of Sciences
French Academy of Sciences
The French Academy of Sciences is a learned society, founded in 1666 by Louis XIV at the suggestion of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, to encourage and protect the spirit of French scientific research...
.
Wilson's other interests include history, economics, cosmology and biology.