M. J. Seaton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
M. J. Seaton
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Michael John Seaton
16 January 1923 Bristol, England
|
| Died | 29 May 2007 (aged 84) Powys, Wales
|
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College London |
| Awards | Hughes Medal (1992) Fellow of the Royal Society |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics Astronomy Mathematics |
| Institutions | University College London |
| Thesis | Quantal Calculations of Certain Reaction Rates with Applications to Astrophysical and Geophysical Problems (1952) |
| Doctoral advisor | David Bates |
| Doctoral students | Paul Davies Helen Mason |
Michael John Seaton (born January 16, 1923 – died May 29, 2007) was a very important British scientist. He was a brilliant mathematician, an atomic physicist (someone who studies tiny particles), and an astronomer (someone who studies space).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michael Seaton was born in Bristol, England. He went to Wallington County Grammar School in Surrey. Even as a student, he was very good at science, especially chemistry. He won awards for his achievements in school.
Serving in World War II
From 1941 to 1946, Michael served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. He was a Flight Lieutenant. He helped navigate large Lancaster planes for RAF Bomber Command. Later, he joined the special Pathfinder squadrons. His amazing math skills helped him guide planes accurately, even in difficult situations.
A Career at University College London
After the war, Michael went back to his studies. He started a long and successful career at University College London (UCL). He earned a top degree in physics very quickly. In 1951, he completed his PhD. His research was about how tiny particles react and how this applies to space and Earth.
He did important work on something called the Quantum Defect Theory. This theory helps scientists understand how electrons behave in atoms.
Rising Through the Ranks
Michael Seaton spent most of his career at UCL. For a short time, from 1954 to 1955, he worked in Paris, France. He then returned to UCL. He became a Reader in 1959 and a Professor of Physics in 1963. In 1972, he became a Fellow of UCL. This was the same year that the physics and astronomy departments joined together. He continued to be involved with UCL as a Professor Emeritus until he passed away.
Working with JILA
In 1964, Michael also became a Fellow-Adjoint at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA). This is a special research center in Boulder, Colorado, in the United States. It's a partnership between the American National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Seaton received many important awards for his scientific work.
- In 1967, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- In 1983, he became an Honorary Member of the American Astronomical Society.
- In 1986, he was made a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences.
Leading the Royal Astronomical Society
Michael Seaton was the President of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) from 1979 to 1981. This is a leading group for astronomers in the UK. In 1983, the RAS gave him their highest award, the Gold Medal.
He also received the Guthrie Medal and Prize in 1984 from the Institute of Physics. In 1992, he was awarded the Hughes Medal from the Royal Society.
Michael Seaton was a Senior Fellow for the Science and Engineering Research Council from 1984 to 1988. He also received honorary doctorates from the Observatoire de Paris in 1976 and Queen's University Belfast in 1982.
