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08-12-2010
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In Memoriam: Adriaan Blaauw, 1914-2010

Submitter: Hugo van Woerden, Tom Oosterloo
Description: Professor Adriaan Blaauw passed away on 1 December at the age of 96, after a short illness.

After spending a number of years abroad, Blaauw accepted an appointment as Professor of Astronomy at Groningen University and Director of the Kapteyn Laboratory in 1957. Kapteyn (1851-1922) had acquired world fame for his studies of the structure of the Milky Way through statistical methods, but since then the Laboratory had remained small and had lost its prominence. Blaauw undertook to broaden the Laboratory's research, and strengthen its staff. He planned to modernize its studies of the Milky Way by taking part in radio astronomy; at Leiden, the spiral structure of the Galaxy had just been revealed by surveys in the 21-cm line.

Blaauw became Secretary of the Netherlands Foundation for Radio Astronomy (Stichting Radiostraling van Zon en Melkweg; 1957-1965), and served on the Bouwcommissie overseeing the construction of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope until its completion in 1970. He also was the first Chairman of the ASTRON Foundation, which acquired a major role in the coordination of research between Dutch universities.

At the Kapteyn Laboratory, he appointed Hugo van Woerden as the first radio astronomer. Later appointments included Keiya Takakubo from Japan (1959-1961), Luc Braes from Belgium (1959-1960), Ulrich Schwarz from Switzerland (1962-1996), Charles Tolbert (1963-1967) from the USA, Istvan Fejes from Hungary (1965-1967) and Renzo Sancisi from Italy (1968-2005). In 1970, these were followed by several excellent young astronomers, including David Rogstad, Ron Allen, Kurt Weiler, Ron Ekers, Miller Goss, and Woody Sullivan. Thus, Groningen developed into a major centre of radio astronomy which has been instrumental in exploiting the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope.

Meanwhile, Blaauw also played a key role in the preparation of the European Southern Observatory, which was officially founded in 1962. He became its Scientific Director in 1968, and its second Director-General (1970-1975). On returning from ESO, he became Professor at Leiden Observatory (1975-1981), and then returned to Groningen for the rest of his life.

Blaauw was well-known for his legendary patience and wisdom, and his amiable, balanced character. We have lost a dear friend, who will be remembered fondly and with admiration.
Copyright: Astron
 
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