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Astronomy/The Henry Higgins Spectrometer
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Question
Hi, Mr. Russo. Can you tell me why it's called a "Henry Higgins" spectrometer?
Thank you -- Happy Thanksgiving! Susan
Susan.
I have spent the last 20 minutes researching the Henry Higgins spectrometer. Apparently, it is the name of some very powerful magnets that were origionally used in Brookhaven National Labs on Long Island, and then moved to other places.
I have looked into documents going back many years, and have not found any info on how the magnets got that name.
Now sometimes, scientists name things after their favorite TV programs or movies (Such as the RALPH and ALICE instruments on the New Horizons spacecraft), so maybe one of the scientist likes the play "My Fair Lady".
I am only guessing at this, as again, I could not find any info on the naming.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you for the Brookhaven information. It seems as if there must be some call/response-type action involved, or mirrors, or mimickry, somehow... Also, from looking it up at Google I see that "rotating" is an adjective that sometimes goes with it. I'll look at the Brookhaven website and elsewhere and will let you know what further I discover. Didnt know that about RALPH and ALICE. Thanks again -- Susan | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Steven LJ Russo
Expertise
As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.
Experience
Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.
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