Antony Hewish
Who was Antony Hewish?
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1974)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Antony Hewish (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Antony Hewish was a British radio astronomer born on May 11, 1924, in Fowey, Cornwall. He studied at Gonville and Caius College and later at King's College, both at the University of Cambridge, laying the groundwork for his successful career in radio astronomy. During the mid-20th century, he gained recognition as one of the most important figures in the field.
Hewish's key contribution to science was the discovery of pulsars, which are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit regular radio wave pulses. This groundbreaking discovery happened in 1967 when his research team, including graduate student Jocelyn Bell Burnell, first detected pulsar signals using a radio telescope array designed and built by Hewish. At first, these regular signals confused astronomers, earning the nickname "Little Green Men" until their real nature was understood.
The significance of discovering pulsars was recognized when Hewish received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974, sharing it with fellow radio astronomer Martin Ryle. This achievement made him a leading figure in radio astronomy and astrophysics. His work greatly advanced the understanding of how stars evolve, the structure of neutron stars, and how matter behaves under extreme conditions.
Throughout his career, Hewish received many prestigious awards for his contributions to astronomy and physics, including the Eddington Medal in 1969, the Karl Schwarzschild Medal in 1971, the Albert A. Michelson Medal in 1973, the Holweck Prize in 1974, and the Hughes Medal in 1977. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, recognizing his outstanding scientific contributions. Hewish continued his research and teaching well into his later years, staying connected with Cambridge University until his death on September 13, 2021.
Before Fame
Growing up in Cornwall in the 1920s and 1930s, Hewish spent his formative years during a time of rapid progress in physics and astronomy. This period saw groundbreaking discoveries in quantum mechanics and relativity theory, and radio technology was emerging as a valuable tool for scientific research. He attended Cambridge during and after World War II, a time when many military scientific innovations were being adapted for peaceful research.
Radio astronomy was just starting when Hewish began his academic career. This new field emerged from wartime radar technology, as scientists realized that radio waves from space could offer new insights into celestial objects. This combination of technological progress and scientific interest allowed researchers like Hewish to create entirely new methods of observing the universe.
Key Achievements
- Nobel Prize in Physics (1974) for the discovery of pulsars
- Co-discovery of the first pulsar in 1967, revolutionizing understanding of neutron stars
- Design and construction of innovative radio telescope arrays for astronomical research
- Advancement of radio astronomy techniques and scintillation studies of cosmic radio sources
- Election as Fellow of the Royal Society and recipient of multiple prestigious scientific medals
Did You Know?
- 01.The first pulsar discovered by Hewish's team was initially designated LGM-1, with LGM standing for 'Little Green Men' due to the mysterious regular signals
- 02.He designed and built a radio telescope covering 4.5 acres that used 2,048 dipole antennas and 120 miles of cable
- 03.The Nobel Prize controversy surrounding his award sparked debates about recognition of graduate student contributions, as Jocelyn Bell Burnell was not included despite her direct role in the discovery
- 04.Hewish served as a conscientious objector during World War II and worked in radio and radar research instead of military service
- 05.He continued using bicycle transportation around Cambridge well into his later years, becoming a familiar sight cycling to the radio astronomy facilities
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Physics | 1974 | for their pioneering research in radio astrophysics: Ryle for his observations and inventions, in particular of the aperture synthesis technique, and Hewish for his decisive role in the discovery of pulsars |
| Fellow of the Royal Society | — | — |
| Albert A. Michelson Medal | 1973 | — |
| Holweck Prize | 1974 | — |
| Hughes Medal | 1977 | — |
| Eddington Medal | 1969 | — |
| Karl Schwarzschild Medal | 1971 | — |