Jean-Claude Pecker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Professor
Jean-Claude Pecker
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Jean-Claude Pecker in 1970
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| Born | 10 May 1923 |
| Died | 20 February 2020 (aged 96) Île d'Yeu, France
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| Nationality | French |
| Education | Lycée Michel-de-Montaigne |
| Alma mater | École normale supérieure University of Bordeaux University of Grenoble |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Theoretical astrophysics |
| Institutions | Professor emeritus at the Collège de France, Paris |
Jean-Claude Pecker was a famous French astronomer and astrophysicist. He was born on May 10, 1923, and passed away on February 20, 2020. He was a member of the important French Academy of Sciences. He also directed the Nice Observatory.
Pecker was the secretary-general of the International Astronomical Union from 1964 to 1967. This is a big group of astronomers from all over the world. He also led the Société astronomique de France (SAF), which is a French group for amateur astronomers. A small planet, called 1629 Pecker, is named after him! Jean-Claude Pecker was also known for speaking out against astrology and fake science. He was the president of a group called the Association française pour l'information scientifique (AFIS). This group helps people understand real science and avoid misleading ideas.
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Jean-Claude Pecker's Early Life
Jean-Claude Pecker was born in Reims, France. His mother, Nelly Catherine Hermann, was a teacher. His grandfather was a rabbi. His family later moved to Bordeaux.
During World War II, his family faced difficulties because of anti-Jewish rules. In 1944, his parents were taken to Auschwitz, where they died. His grandmother was hidden by a kind neighbor, Ida Barrett. She was later honored for her bravery.
Pecker loved astronomy from a young age. He studied at the Lycée Michel de Montaigne in Bordeaux. After the war, he went to the École normale supérieure in Paris. In 1946, he joined the Institut d'astrophysique de Paris. He studied physics and chemistry there. He earned his doctorate degree in May 1950.
Jean-Claude Pecker's Career in Science
From 1952 to 1955, Pecker was a professor at the University of Clermont-Ferrand. He also worked internationally, including at the High Altitude Observatory in Colorado, USA. In 1955, he became an astronomer at the Paris Observatory. Then, in 1961, he became the director of the Nice Observatory.
In 1963, Pecker became a professor of theoretical astrophysics at the Collège de France in Paris. He held this important position until 1988. He also directed the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) Institute of Astrophysics from 1972 to 1978.
His main work in astrophysics focused on the atmospheres of the Sun and other stars. He also studied how the Sun affects Earth. Pecker was known for questioning the standard Big Bang theory. He suggested other ideas about how the universe works. He even signed a letter with other scientists. They were concerned that other theories, like the "tired light" theory, were not being considered enough.
Important Roles Jean-Claude Pecker Held
- 1952–1955: Professor at the University of Clermont-Ferrand.
- 1955–1962: Astronomer at the Paris Observatory.
- 1962–1969: Director of the Nice Observatory.
- 1963–1988: Professor of theoretical astrophysics at the Collège de France.
- 1964–1967: General Secretary of the French Astronomical Society.
- 1964–1967: General Secretary of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
- 1972–1979: Director of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) Institute of Astrophysics.
- 1999–2001: President of the Association française pour l'information scientifique.
Pecker was also a member of many other important scientific groups. These included the Royal Astronomical Society and the Academia Europaea.
Books and Papers by Jean-Claude Pecker
Jean-Claude Pecker wrote and co-wrote many books. He also published over 700 academic papers. His writings covered topics like cosmology, astronomy, astrophysics, and fake science. He also wrote popular science books for everyone to read. Some of his books were translated into other languages.
Here are some of his books:
- The Sky (1959)
- Astrophysique Générale (with Évry Schatzman, 1959)
- Experimental Astronomy (1970)
- Space Observatories (1970)
- Papa, dis-moi, qu'est-ce que c'est que l'Astronomie (1971)
- Understanding the Universe: the impact of space astronomy (1983)
- The Future of the Sun (1990)
- The Mars Effect (with Claude Benski) (1996)
- Understanding the Heavens: 30 centuries of astronomical ideas from ancient thinking to modern cosmology (2001)
- Current issues in cosmology (2006)
Jean-Claude Pecker and Humanism
Pecker was very involved in Humanism. This is a way of thinking that focuses on human values and reason. In 1990, he became vice-president of the French UNESCO committee. Later, he represented the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) at UNESCO. This organization works to promote humanist ideas around the world.
Pecker also spoke out against unfair immigration laws. He supported groups that helped undocumented people. In 2005, he received the International Humanist Award for his work.
Jean-Claude Pecker's Personal Life
Jean-Claude Pecker married Charlotte Wimel in 1947. They had three children: Martine, Daniel, and Laure. They later divorced in 1964. In 1974, he married Anne-Marie Vormser, who passed away in 2002. Besides his scientific work, Pecker also enjoyed writing poetry and creating art.
Awards and Honors for Jean-Claude Pecker
Jean-Claude Pecker received many awards for his important work:
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit
- Commander of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques
- 1967: Jules-Janssen Prize, a top award for astronomy.
- 1967: Janssen Medal for his work in astrophysics.
- 1969: Three Physicists Prize.
- 1973: Prix Jean Perrin, for making science popular for everyone.
- 1977: Became a member of the French Academy of Sciences.
- 2005: International Humanist Award, for his work in Humanism.
As mentioned earlier, a minor planet (1629) was named in his honor.
See also
In Spanish: Jean-Claude Pecker para niños
