PROFESSOR STEFAN PIOTROWSKI (1910–1985). ON THE CENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH
Journal Title: Studia Historiae Scientiarum - Year 2012, Vol 11, Issue
Abstract
Stefan Piotrowski (1910–1985) graduated in Mathematics (1932) and in Astronomy (1933) from the Jagiellonian University. Immediately afterwards he started working at the Astronomical Observatory in Cracow, specializing in observations of eclipsing binaries. In 1937 he made an important contribution to this field by introducing a substantial modification to the Russell-Fetlaar method of determining the elements of eclipsing binaries. During the Second World War, while working in complete isolation, he developed – independently of Chandrasekhar – the theory of radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres (his first paper on this subject was published in 1947). He continued his work on eclipsing binaries and radiative transfer during his stay at the Harvard College Observatory in 1947/1948. After returning to Cracow, he became the pioneer of photoelectric photometry in Poland. He was also the pioneer in the studies of collisions of asteroids (his 1953 paper on this subject is now considered a classic in this field). In 1952 Dr. Stefan Piotrowski moved to Warsaw where he became Professor of Astrophysics at the Warsaw University Observatory. Together with Professor Włodzimierz Zonn they have educated several generations of young Warsaw astronomers. Piotrowski and Zonn inspired and directed their research in modern fields of astronomy such as close binary systems, variable stars, stellar evolution, physics of interstellar matter, etc. They created the Warsaw School of Astrophysics. Professor Piotrowski was also the co-founder of two institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences: Institute of Astronomy (now: The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center) and The Space Research Center.
Authors and Affiliations
Józef SMAK
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