| Citation | Robert D'Escourt (Greenwich) MA (Oxon), D.Phil. (Gottingen) Chief Assistant, Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Formerly Research Fellow, Hertford College, Oxford, and Associate Professor of Physics, New Brunswick, N.J. Distinguished for the pioneering nature of his work in physics and astrophysics. In 1922 showed that stellar atmospheric pressures were about 105 times smaller than was then supposed. In 1927 proved by direct point-excitation of canal rays that light emission occurred immediately without the supposed delay period. Modified Gamow's nuclear theory, obtaining average lives and energies from nuclear parameters. In 1929-31 gave the first mechanism actually capable of converting hydrogen into helium in stars, with a formula for its probability. Showed that synthesis of lighter elements could produce observed energy and observed proportions of these elements. Foreshadowed neutron-synthesis for heavier elements. Author of numerous papers in physics and astronomy, characterised by an original and fundamental approach. List attached. |