Franz Daniel Kahn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Franz Kahn
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|---|---|
| Born |
Franz Daniel Kahn
13 May 1926 Nuremberg, Germany
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| Died | 8 February 1998 (aged 71) |
| Resting place | Manchester |
| Education | St Paul's School, London |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford (BA, DPhil) |
| Spouse(s) |
Carla Copeland
(m. 1951–1981) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrophysics |
| Institutions | University of Manchester |
| Thesis | Some problems concerning the luminosity and other properties of the upper atmosphere |
| Doctoral advisor | Sydney Chapman |
| Doctoral students |
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Franz Daniel Kahn (1926–1998) was a brilliant scientist from Germany. He was a mathematician and an astrophysicist. He worked at the University of Manchester in England. From 1966 to 1993, he was a Professor of Astronomy there. After that, he became an Emeritus Professor.
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Early Life and Education
Franz Kahn went to St Paul's School, London from 1940 to 1944. He then won a special scholarship to The Queen's College, Oxford. In 1947, he finished his mathematics degree with top honors.
He continued his studies at Balliol College, Oxford in 1948. In 1950, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. His research was about how bright the upper atmosphere is. This work was guided by his professor, Sydney Chapman.
Amazing Discoveries in Space
Franz Kahn made many important discoveries in space science. He studied how plasma (a super hot gas) behaves in space. He also looked at how gas dynamics work in the universe.
How Stars Are Born
Kahn did important work on how stars are formed. He studied the early stages of this process. He also looked at how ionization fronts and shock waves behave.
Stellar Winds and Galaxies
Later, he focused on stellar winds, which are streams of particles from stars. He also studied galactic fountains, which are gas flows in galaxies. His research included planetary nebulae and the remains of novae and supernovae (exploding stars).
He also wrote about the spiral shape of our own Galaxy. He even studied the Local Group, which is the cluster of galaxies our Milky Way belongs to. Franz Kahn was known for creating simple math models. These models helped explain complex physics ideas clearly.
Awards and Special Honors
Franz Kahn received many awards for his work. In 1993, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS).
In 1991, the International Astronomers Union honored him in a special way. They named an asteroid after him, calling it Kahnia.
Personal Life
Franz Kahn married Carla Copeland in 1951. They had four children together. He passed away from a heart attack on February 8, 1998. He was buried in a Jewish cemetery in south Manchester. His four children survived him.
