Roderick Oliver Redman facts for kids

Roderick Oliver Redman (1905–1975) was a very important professor of astronomy at the University of Cambridge. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.

Early Life and Education

Roderick Redman was born in 1905 in a place called Rodborough. This town is near Stroud in Gloucestershire, England.

He went to school at Marling School. After that, he studied at St John's College, Cambridge, which is part of the famous University of Cambridge.

Redman's Career in Astronomy

Roderick Redman started his work in astronomy in 1928. His first job was at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO). This observatory is in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He worked there until 1931.

Moving to Cambridge

In 1931, he moved back to the University of Cambridge in the UK. He became an Assistant Director at the Solar Physics Observatory. He stayed in this role until 1937.

Work in South Africa

From 1939 to 1947, Redman worked in South Africa. He was the Chief Assistant at the Oxford University Radcliffe Observatory. This observatory was located outside Pretoria.

Leading Observatories

In 1947, Roderick Redman became the Director of the Combined Observatories at the University of Cambridge. He held this important position for many years, until 1972.

He also led the Royal Astronomical Society. He was its president from 1959 to 1961. This society is a group for astronomers in the UK.

His Students and Awards

Roderick Redman helped many students with their studies. Some of his doctoral students were John Hutchings, Colin Scarfe, and Gordon Walker.

He earned his Ph.D. (a high university degree) in 1931. His supervisor was a famous scientist named Arthur Stanley Eddington. In 1946, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very special award for scientists in the UK.

An Asteroid Named After Him

There is an asteroid named 7886 Redman in space! An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. This asteroid was found by Canadian astronomer David D. Balam in 1993.

It was named in honor of Roderick Redman. It was also named for another astronomer, Russell Ormond Redman. They shared the same last name and initials, and both worked at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.