- Eric Chaisson
Eric J. Chaisson is an American
astrophysicist and science educator best known for his research, teaching and writing on the interdisciplinary science ofcosmic evolution . (Closely related subjects include epic of evolution,big history , andastrobiology ). He is also noted for his original research on theinterstellar clouds andemission nebulae of theMilky Way Galaxy , and for his leadership in improvingscience education nationally and internationally. Chaisson was also a senior scientist and director of education programs for theHubble Space Telescope through its development and until 1992.Chaisson earned his PhD at
Harvard University in 1972 and has since held appointments at theHarvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics ,Johns Hopkins University , and theSpace Telescope Science Institute . He is currently director of theWright Center for Science Education atTufts University , where he holds research professorships in the department of physics and in the school of education. As an Associate of theHarvard College Observatory , he also serves with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, where he teaches an annual undergraduate course on the subject ofcosmic evolution ("cf"., web site below).Chaisson has published more than a hundred papers in the refereed journals and written a dozen books, several of which have won awards, such as the B.J. Bok Prize (Harvard) for astronomical discoveries, the Smith-Weld Prize (Harvard) for literary merit, and the 2007 Kistler Award [http://www.futurefoundation.org/awards/kba_2007_chaisson.htm] (Foundation for the Future) for increasing understanding of subjects shaping the future of humanity. He has also won scholarly prizes from
Phi Beta Kappa and theAmerican Institute of Physics , a Certificate of Merit fromNASA for work on theHubble Space Telescope , as well as fellowships from the Sloan Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences.Chaisson's major research interests are twofold: His scientific agenda addresses an interdisciplinary, thermodynamic study of physical and biological systems, thereby seeking to understand the origin, evolution, and unification of
galaxies ,stars ,planets , andlife in the universe. [1-4] His educational work engages master teachers and computer animators to create better methods, technological aids, and novel curricula to enthuse teachers, instruct students, and enhance scientific literacy of everyone from grade school to grad school. [5-8]Recent References
# "A Unifying Concept for Astrobiology," "International Journal of Astrobiology", v 2, p 91, 2003.
# "Complexity: An Energetics Agenda," "Complexity", Journal of Santa Fe Inst., v 9, p 14, 2004.
# "Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics in an Energy-rich Universe," In "Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics and Production of Entropy", Kleidon, A. and Lorenz, R., Springer-Verlag, 2005.
# "The Great Unifier," "New Scientist", v 189, p 36, 2006.
# "Rhythm of the Cosmos: Finding Unity among the Natural Sciences," "Tufts Magazine", p 16, Spring, 2001.
# "Cosmic Evolution: Rise of Complexity in Natur"e, Harvard Univ. Press, 2001. ISBN 0-674-00342-X
# "Epic of Evolution: Seven Ages of the Cosmos", Columbia Univ. Press, 2006. ISBN 0-231-13560-2
# "Astronomy Today" (co-authored with S. McMillan), Pearson, 6 editions, 1993-2008. ISBN 0-13-091542-4External links
* [http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/eric/ericpage.html Eric Chaisson's web site]
* [http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/index.html Wright Center web site]
* [http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/cosmic_evolution/index.html Cosmic evolution web site]
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