This Friday Asian University of Science and Technology will welcome their
second Nobel Laureate: Professor Riccardo Giacconi, who won his Nobel Prize for
physics in 2002.
He will talk about the development of x-ray astronomy.
In 2002, Riccardo Giacconi was named co-recipient of the 2002
Nobel Prize in physics for his pioneering work in X-ray astronomy. He and his
colleagues are widely credited for revolutionizing astrophysics by using the
X-ray region of the spectrum to discover fundamental properties of black holes,
neutron stars, galaxy clusters, and quasars.
Giacconi joined the Hopkins faculty in physics and astronomy
in 1982 (he continues as Hopkins research professor) after coming to Baltimore
to direct the Space Telescope Science Institute (1981-93), based at a facility
adjacent to the Homewood campus.
In the last few years Dr. Giacconi has participated in several high-level
committees, advisory bodies, and workshops concerned with U.S. science policy.
The issues of how to best carry out first-rate research initiatives while
insuring the achievements of the societal benefits that are the potential result
of these activities have been among his major concerns. These societal benefits
include scientific education and technical and management training at all levels
with a view to improving the quality of life in our nation as well as our
competitiveness in the international marketplace. To this end, the methodology
and institutional settings that are chosen to carry out the research are as
important as the ultimate scientific goals.