George Robert Carruthers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Robert Carruthers
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George Carruthers, center, discusses the Lunar Surface Ultraviolet Camera with Apollo 16 Commander John Young, right. From left are Lunar Module Pilot Charles Duke and Rocco Petrone, Apollo Program Director.
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| Born | October 1, 1939 |
| Died | December 26, 2020 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Known for | Invention of the ultraviolet camera/spectrograph |
| Awards | National Medal of Technology and Innovation, 2011; Arthur S. Flemming Award (Washington Jaycees), 1970 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Thesis | Experimental investigations of atomic nitrogen recombination (1964) |
George Robert Carruthers (October 1, 1939 – December 26, 2020) was an amazing African American inventor, physicist, and space scientist. He created a special camera for NASA to use in space. This camera was called the ultraviolet camera/spectrograph.
NASA used his camera during the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. Astronauts could use it on the Moon, even in their bulky space suits. They used it to study Earth's outer atmosphere and map parts of the sky. The camera helped them see stars, galaxies, and gas between them.
In 1970, George Carruthers also proved that molecular hydrogen exists in space. This was a big discovery! For his work, he was honored many times. In 2003, he joined the National Inventors Hall of Fame. In 2011, President Barack Obama gave him the National Medal for Technology and Invention. This award recognized his camera, which helped us learn so much about space and Earth.
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Life and Discoveries of George Carruthers
George Carruthers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 1, 1939. His father was an engineer, and his mother stayed home. From a young age, George loved science and astronomy. He read lots of space stories and learned about space travel.
When he was just 10 years old, he built his first telescope. He used cardboard tubes and lenses he bought with money from his paper route. His father encouraged his interest in science.
Early Life and Education
George's father passed away when George was 12. His family then moved to Chicago. Even though he sometimes got low grades in math and physics, he won three science fair awards. He loved visiting museums, libraries, and the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
After the first satellite, Sputnik, was launched, George started building model rockets. He joined science clubs and the junior division of the Chicago Rocket Society.
He went to Englewood High School. Then he studied at the University of Illinois. He earned a Bachelor's degree in physics in 1961. He continued his studies and got a Master's degree in nuclear engineering in 1962. In 1964, he earned his Ph.D. in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
After college, George Carruthers joined the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). He worked there for 38 years, focusing on ultraviolet astronomy.
In 1969, he received a patent for his "Image Converter." This device could detect short-wavelength light. In 1970, he used it to make the first study of molecular hydrogen in space.
Two years later, he developed the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph. This was the first observatory placed on the Moon during the Apollo 16 mission. In 1986, one of his inventions took an ultraviolet picture of Halley's Comet. He also created a camera used on a Space Shuttle mission in 1991.
Inspiring Future Scientists
George Carruthers cared a lot about helping young people. In the 1980s, he helped start the Science & Engineers Apprentice Program. This program lets high school students work with scientists at the NRL during the summer.
He also worked with NRL's community outreach. He supported many science education activities in Washington D.C.. He encouraged African Americans to get involved in science and technology. He worked with groups like the National Society of Black Physicists.
He often took part in public events at Howard University. He also helped with SMART Day programs at the National Air and Space Museum. From 1983, he edited a journal that shared stories of African American scientists and engineers. This journal was sent to high schools and colleges.
In 1996 and 1997, he taught Earth and Space Science to teachers in D.C. schools. He also helped make videos about Earth and Space science for high school students. After retiring from NRL in 2002, he taught Earth and Space Science at Howard University.
George Carruthers received the 2012 National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2013. He was a member of several important scientific groups, including the American Astronomical Society.
He lived most of his life in Washington, D.C. George Carruthers passed away on December 26, 2020.
Awards and Honors
- Arthur S. Flemming Award (Washington Jaycees), 1970
- Exceptional Achievement Scientific Award Medal NASA, 1972
- Black Engineer of the Year Award, 1987
- Warner Prize of the American Astronomical Society
- National Science Foundation Fellow
- Honorary Doctor of Engineering, Michigan Technological University
- Inducted into the National Inventors' Hall of Fame, 2003
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation, 2011
