Background
Altena, William Foster Van was born on August 15, 1939 in Hayward, California, United States. Son of William Rogers and Eileen (Reis) van Altena.
Altena, William Foster Van was born on August 15, 1939 in Hayward, California, United States. Son of William Rogers and Eileen (Reis) van Altena.
Bachelor of Arts, University of California-Berkeley, 1962; Doctor of Philosophy, University of California-Berkeley, 1966.
Instructor, Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, 1966; director, Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, 1972-1974; assistant professor, Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, 1967-1972; associate professor, Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, 1972-1974; professor astronomy, Yale University, New Haven, since 1974; department chairman astronomy, Yale University, New Haven, 1975-1981; president, Yale Southern Observatory, since 1976. Consultant Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, 1983-1991. Member of advisory county forastron. science National Science Foundation, since 1991.
Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science. Member American Astronomical Society, Astronomical Society Pacific, Argentine Astronomical Association, National Academy of Sciences Astronomy Survey (committee 1969-1971, 79-80), International Astronomical Union (vice president commission 24 1985-1988, president 1988-1991), Connecticut Academy Arts and Sciences.
Married Jean Whyte, December 16, 1961 (divorced 1979). Children: Paul David, Michael John. Married Alicia Angela Mora, June 2, 1986.