Riccardo Giacconi (1931–2018)

Abstract

Riccardo Giacconi, the “Father of X-ray Astronomy,” Nobel laureate, and one of the most influential figures in astrophysics over the past 60 years, died on December 9, 2018, at the age of 87. With a career spanning the electromagnetic spectrum, Riccardo opened up new windows for observing the universe and revolutionized “big astronomy.” Many in the astronomy community continue to base their research on data from observatories that he conceived, built, and/or directed. Riccardo Giacconi at the rostrum of the Chandra Symposium held in Huntsville, Alabama on September 16, 2003. Image courtesy of NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center. Riccardo’s outstanding scientific capabilities were well matched by his extraordinary leadership and management skills. He had a deep belief in a scientific approach to problem solving and to establishing systematic processes. He insisted that instruments and observatories be built to answer driving scientific questions. Another key to his success was the legendary dedication and drive of the research teams that he assembled, which could be traced directly to Riccardo’s deep commitment to establishing an environment of intellectual honesty and trust. Born in Genoa, Italy, on October 6, 1931, Riccardo received his doctorate in 1954 from the University of Milan. At that time, the only practical way to study high-energy nuclear reactions was through the detection and analysis of the interaction of high-energy cosmic rays, primarily protons, with atomic nuclei in the atmosphere. For his thesis research, he spent about two years at the Testa Grigio Observatory (elevation: 3,500 meters) in the Italian Alps and obtained 80 high-energy cosmic ray detection events. Although he learned much about the conception, design, and building of detectors, Riccardo was frustrated by the lack of “action.” A Fulbright fellowship brought Riccardo to the United States, where he worked at Indiana and Princeton before joining American Science and Engineering … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: htananbaum{at}cfa.harvard.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1