Person Wolfendale; Sir; Arnold Whittaker (1927 - 2020); physicist; astronomer Wolfendale Arnold Whittaker Sir physicist; astronomer 1927 - 2020 British Male Rugby, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom 25 June 1927 19270625 Durham, England, United Kingdom 21 December 2020 20201221

Physicist and astronomer Physics Astronomy Cosmology Cosmic rays Science policy Education: St Michael's Church School, Stretford Grammar School , University of Machester, BSc (1948), PhD (1953), DSc (1970) Career: University of Manchester, Assistant Lecturer (1953); Lecturer (1954); University of Durham, Professor, (1956-1992), Emeritus Professor (1992-2020); Regional Scientific Training Officer, Civil Defence Movement; declined offer of job as Chief Scientist to the Ministry of Defence (1982); Astronomer Royal (1991-1995); Honours: Kt 1995 for services to astronomy Memberships: European Physical Society (President 1999-2001); FRAS (1973, President 1981-1983) Married (1) Audrey Darby, 3 Feb 1951; (2) Dorothy Middleton, Sep 2015. Worked under Patrick Blackett PRS at University of Manchester and later George Rochester FRS, whom he followed to University of Durham Arnold Wolfendale conducted research on cosmic rays — immensely energetic particles from sources mainly beyond our Solar System. Arnold became, in particular, a world expert on muons — an elementary particle similar to the electron. His expertise was important in accounting for cosmic ray background effects in experiments that successfully detected neutrinos emitted by nuclear fusion within the Sun. Arnold developed the neon flash tube and the solid iron spectrograph to improve cosmic ray detection and measurement of their energies. As well as helping us to understand their origin, cosmic ray research has bearing due to the damage that these charged particles can inflict on electronic circuits and living organisms — directly in those sent into space, and indirectly in those on Earth through secondary radiation. Arnold’s eminence was recognised in his appointment as Astronomer Royal in 1991. He served as President of both the European Physical Society and the Royal Astronomical Society. He was knighted for services to astronomy in 1995. Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS died on 21 December 2020. Royal Society roles: Council: 1980-1982 Committee and panels: Committee on the public understanding of science (1997); International Travel Grants Panel 5 (2003-2006) Lectures: Bakerian 2002 'Cosmic rays: what are they and where do they come from?' Fellow 17/03/1977 49 Sources: DNB Royal Society profile page https://royalsociety.org/people/arnold-wolfendale-12551/ (accessed 20 January 2021) Wikipeadie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Wolfendale (accessed 20 January 2021) References: J C Taylor and A W Wolfendale, ' John Harrison: clockmaker and Copypley Medallist. A public memorial at last' in NR 2007 vol 61 pp 53-62 Anne Purkiss 'Scientists 1985 - 2010; Portraits of Fellows of the Royal Society' 2010, p. 51 Wolfendale A W, GA RGRS 8045.jpg International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.2021.0028 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Wolfendale%2C+Arnold+Whittaker RCN 13250 RCN 21126 RCN 21127 RCN R72689 RCN 11314 RCN R73945 RCN 13208 RCN R82786 RCN 20008 RCN 40358 RCN 57765 RCN R80345 RCN R77989 RCN 23293 RCN 23294 RCN 23295 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH9281 25 Jun 1927 - 21 Dec 2020 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 01/07/2025 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA5462 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 08/09/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/51751144 535c8af5-767f-4090-8785-1a06da3895cc