Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Gerry Neugebauer Papers
- Dates:
- 1954-1998
- Creators:
- Neugebauer, Gerry (Physicist)
- Extent:
- 10 linear feet (21 boxes)
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Neugebauer papers consist primarily of notebooks, Palomar and Keck observatories documents, photographic slides, course notes, and restricted access material from the LIGO controversy regarding Ron Drever.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Gerhart Otto "Gerry" Neugebauer was born in Göttingen, Germany, in 1932, the son of Otto Neugebauer. After moving to the United States he received his AB degree from Cornell University in 1954 and his PhD in physics from Caltech in 1960. He joined the Caltech faculty in 1962 as an assistant professor, becoming a full professor of physics in 1970. He served as the director of the Palomar Observatory from 1980 to 1994, and he was named Howard Hughes Professor in 1985. Neugebauer was the Emeritus Robert Andrews Millikan Professor of Physics until his passing on September 26, 2014.
Neugebauer is internationally recognized as a pioneer in infrared astronomy, and has played a leading role in infrared studies of the planets. In addition—and largely through his activities with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IRAS)—he has led both ground- and space-based infrared studies of the stars, the Milky Way and other galaxies. Observations by him and his colleagues at Mount Wilson and Palomar observatories have revealed hundreds of new infrared sources in the sky, and afforded the first infrared view of the galactic center. He also played a major role in the design and construction of the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii.
- Acquisition information:
- Gerry Neugebauer donated his papers to the Caltech Archives in April, 2002.
- Arrangement:
-
Series I consists of Neugebauer's astronomical notebooks, which encompasses eighty percent of the collection and covers his astronomical work from the mid nineteen-sixties to the early nineties. The subject matter is diverse, ranging from technical designs to notes from meetings. Series II also includes diverse material related to the operations and maintenance of Palomar's 60 and 200 inch telescopes, reports from the construction of the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii, and hundreds of photographic slides. Series III consists of graduate course notes and Series IV consists of the controversy concerning the construction of LIGO.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-06-26 13:30:03 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open for research and has not been digitized. Researchers must make an appointment for access. Folder digitization is available on request. Contact the Caltech Archives for more information. including closed files inquiry.
- Location of this collection:
-
1200 E. California Blvd.MC B215-74Pasadena, CA 91125, US
- Contact:
- (626) 395-2704