Background
Stern, Sol Alan was born on November 22, 1957 in New Orleans. Son of Leonard Arthur and Joel Strauss (Sugar) Stern.
(Rave reviews for Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragg...)
Rave reviews for Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged Edge of the Solar System The story of the quest to understand Pluto and the resulting transformation of our concept of the diminutive planet from that of solar-system misfit to king of the Kuiper Belt is told in this book by Alan Stern and Jacqueline Mitton. Stern, a Plutophile to the core, is one of the most energetic, talented, and savvy planetary astronomers in the business today. Mitton, trained as an astronomer, is an experienced writer and editor of scientific books for nonscientists. Together they have created an immensely informative book . . . Written in an engaging and informal style, Pluto and Charon takes the reader step by step from the discovery of the ninth planet in 1930 to the current understanding of Pluto and its moon, Charon.-Sky & Telescope More than a book summarizing what we know about the planet, Pluto and Charon is about how far and how fast astronomical technology has come since 1965 . . . Stern and Mitton use the narrative of Pluto research to explain in comfortable, everyday language how such work is done . . . One of the nice touches in the book is that Stern and Mitton tell us something about each astronomer.-Astronomy Pluto and Charon presents the exploration of the ninth planet-written as a vivid historical account-for anyone with an interest in science and astronomy . . . the authors describe in simple language the methods researchers use to explore the universe and the way ever-improving instrumentation helps their knowledge advance.-Physics Today
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471152978/?tag=2022091-20
(For five decades after its discovery in 1930, the planet ...)
For five decades after its discovery in 1930, the planet Pluto remained an enigma. However, several events during the last two decades have helped to lift the veil of mystery surrounding the ninth planet. The discovery of its satellite, Charon, in 1978 permitted occultation observations that allowed scientists to determine the size of both bodies. Astronomers also detected the presence of an atmosphere, and the Hubble Space Telescope provided views in unprecedented detail. In addition to these two fortuitous events, advances in telescopic instrumentation and computational methods led to exciting observational and theoretical discoveries. This new Space Sciences Series volume focuses on the scientific issues associated with Pluto and Charon. Fifty collaborating authors here review the latest research on the Pluto-Charon binary, from bulk properties, surfaces and interiors to atmospheric structure, composition, and dynamics. They also provide historical perspectives on Pluto-Charon research and discuss the population of the trans-Neptunian region and the origin of the Pluto-Charon binary. Also included are prefatory remarks by Pluto's and Charon's discoverers, Clyde Tombaugh and James Christy. This volume offers the most comprehensive available compendium of research work for understanding these far off members of our solar system, just at a time following dramatic developments in our knowledge but before that knowledge can be advanced by spacecraft missions.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0816518408/?tag=2022091-20
astrophysicist Planetary scientist
Stern, Sol Alan was born on November 22, 1957 in New Orleans. Son of Leonard Arthur and Joel Strauss (Sugar) Stern.
Bachelor of Science, University Texas, 1978; Master of Science, University Texas, 1981; Doctor of Philosophy, U. Colorado, 1989.
Engineer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center, Houston, 1979-1980;
systems engineer, Martin Marietta, Denver, 1982-1983;
payload engineer, LASP, Boulder, Colorado, 1983-1986;
research associate, LASP, Boulder, Colorado, 1988-1990;
assistant director, President' Office, Boulder, 1986-1988;
research associate, CASA, Boulder, 1990-1991;
principal scientist, SWRI, Boulder, 1991-1992;
section manager planetary & astrophysical science, SWRI, Boulder, 1992-1994;
section manager geophysical, astrophysical & planetary science, SWRI, Boulder, 1992-1995;
department director space studies, SWRI, Boulder, since 1997. Member lunar exploration science working group National Aeronautics and Space Administration, since 1992, discovery program science working group, 1989-1990, chairman Neptune/Pluto outer planet science working group, since 1994. Emergency medical technical.
Commercial pilot/flight instructor. Project scientist National Aeronautics and Space Administration Spartan-Halle spacecraft mission. Principal investigator various National Aeronautics and Space Administration Sounding Rockets.
Guest investigator National Aeronautics and Space Administration IUE and HST Observatories. Principal investigator Alice Ultraviolet spectrometer in European Space Agency/National Aeronautics and Space Administration Rosetta mission.
(Rave reviews for Pluto and Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragg...)
(For five decades after its discovery in 1930, the planet ...)
Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Astronomical Society, American Geophysical Union.
Married Carole Ann Jones, August 5, 1982. Children: Sarah L., Kate E.