David Todd Wilkinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Todd Wilkinson
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| Born | 13 May 1935 |
| Died | 5 September 2002 (aged 67) |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Awards | James Craig Watson Medal (2001) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | cosmology |
| Institutions | Princeton University |
| Doctoral advisor | H. Richard Crane |
| Doctoral students | Marc Davis Suzanne Staggs Peter Saulson |
David Todd Wilkinson (born May 13, 1935 – died September 5, 2002) was an American scientist. He was a cosmologist, which means he studied the universe. He was especially known for his work on the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB). This is like a faint glow left over from the Big Bang, the very beginning of our universe.
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Early Life and Education
David Todd Wilkinson was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, on May 13, 1935. He loved learning about physics. He went to the University of Michigan and earned his Ph.D. (a very high degree) in physics. His teacher there was a famous scientist named H. Richard Crane.
Discoveries and Career
Wilkinson became a Professor of Physics at Princeton University in 1965. He taught there until he retired in 2002. He made huge contributions to many important experiments that studied the cosmic microwave background.
Studying the Universe's First Light
He helped with two big NASA satellites. These satellites were like special telescopes in space. They helped scientists learn more about the early universe.
- The first one was called the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE).
- The second one was named the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). This satellite was named in his honor after he passed away.
These satellites helped us understand how the universe began and how it grew. David Wilkinson's work was very important for our understanding of space and time. He died on September 5, 2002, after battling cancer.
Awards and Honors
David Wilkinson received many special awards for his amazing work:
- He won the Princeton President's Award for Distinguished Teaching. This award recognized him as a great teacher.
- He was chosen to be part of the National Academy of Sciences in 1983. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United States.
- He also received the James Craig Watson Medal in 2001.
See also
In Spanish: David Wilkinson para niños
