Eric Mervyn Lindsay facts for kids

Eric Mervyn Lindsay (born January 26, 1907 – died July 27, 1974) was an Irish astronomer. An astronomer is a scientist who studies stars, planets, and everything else in space. He was known for helping to set up important astronomy projects.

Early Life and Education

Eric Mervyn Lindsay was born in 1907 at a place called The Grange, near Portadown in County Armagh, Ireland. His parents were Richard and Susan Lindsay.

He went to school in Dublin at the King's Hospital School. After that, he studied at Queen's University, Belfast. He earned two degrees there, a BSc in 1928 and an MSc in 1929. He then traveled to Harvard University in the United States, where he earned his PhD in 1934. A PhD is a very high university degree.

Career and Family Life

After finishing his studies, Eric Lindsay went to South Africa to continue learning about astronomy. While he was there, he married Sylvia Mussells in Cape Town on May 20, 1935.

In 1937, he returned to Ireland. He became the director of the Armagh Observatory, which is a place where astronomers study the sky using telescopes. He led the observatory for many years, until he passed away from a sudden heart attack in 1974.

Eric and Sylvia Lindsay had one son, Derek Michael Lindsay, who was born in 1944. Derek later became a chemistry professor in New York City.

Contributions to Astronomy

Eric Lindsay is remembered more for his efforts to support astronomy than for making big discoveries himself. He was very good at convincing important people and groups to help build new astronomy projects.

For example, he helped persuade the Irish government and Harvard University to build a special telescope. This telescope was set up at Boyden Station in South Africa. Its main job was to map and study the southern skies, which are the parts of space you can see from the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr. Lindsay also played a key role in creating the Armagh Planetarium. A planetarium is a theater that shows educational shows about space and the night sky. It helps people learn about astronomy in a fun way.

Awards and Honours

Eric Mervyn Lindsay received several important awards and honours for his work:

• He was given The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1963.
• He became a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 1939.
• A crater on the Moon is named "Lindsay" in his honour.