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Tom Gehrels facts for kids
| Tom Gehrels | |
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Tom Gehrels (1974)
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| Born | February 25, 1925 Haarlemmermeer, the Netherlands |
| Died | July 11, 2011 (aged 86) Tucson, Arizona, United States |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Institutions | University of Arizona |
| Alma mater | Leiden University, University of Chicago |
| Known for | Asteroids |
| Notable awards | Harold Masursky Award |
Tom Gehrels (1925 – 2011), was an American astronomer, Professor Planetary Sciences, and Astronomer at the University of Arizona, Tucson. With co-workers, he discovered over 4,000 asteroids, including Apollo asteroids, Amor asteroids, as well as dozens of Trojan asteroids. Gehrels also discovered a number of comets. In an interview, Gehrels was asked what he would do if an asteroid hit the Earth. He said, "Go out there and have a look, of course."
In the 1970s, Gehrels was in charge of the Imaging Photopolarimeter experiment on the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 satellites which explored the planets, Jupiter and Saturn.
Gehrels edited a number of space science textbooks. One of his sons, Neil Gehrels, is also an astronomer.
Gehrels was part of the Dutch Resistance in World War II. In 1994, he argued that German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun had been involved in Nazi concentration camps during that war.
Books
- Physical Studies of Minor Planets, edited by Tom Gehrels (1971), NASA SP-267