Person

Stibbs, Douglas Walter Noble (Walter) (1919 - 2010)

Born
17 February 1919
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died
12 April 2010
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Occupation
Astronomer and Astrophysicist

Summary

Walter Stibbs spent his early career in Australia, working at the Mount Stromlo Observatory from 1940-1942 and 19451951 and lecturing in the Department of Mathematics and Physics at New England University College, Armidale (now University of New England) from 1942-1945. After 30 years at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, as Napier Professor of Astronomy and Director of the University Observatory, he returned to Mount Stromlo in 1990 as a Visiting Fellow. During his first period at Mount Stromlo he participated in early optical munitions work, designing folded optics for a gun sight and a sun compass for use by tanks in desert warfare.

Details

Chronology

1940 - 1942
Career position - Resident Assistant at the Commonwealth Solar Observatory
1942
Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc) completed at the University of Sydney
1942 - 1945
Career position - Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Physics at New England University College in Armidale, New South Wales
1943
Education - Master of Science (MSc) completed at the University of Sydney
1945 - 1951
Career position - Scientific Officer and Senior Scientific Officer at Mount Stromlo Observatory in Canberra
1954
Education - Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) completed at the University of Oxford, UK
1955 - 1959
Career position - Principal Scientific Officer with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
1956
Career position - Johnson Memorial Prize and Gold Medal for Advancement of Astronomy and Meteorology received from the University of Oxford
1959 - 1989
Career position - Napier Professor of Astronomy and Director of the University Observatory, University of St. Andrews, Scotland
1987 - 1989
Career position - Senior Professor Senatus Academicus at the University of St Andrews
1990 -
Career position - Visiting Fellow at the Astrophysical Theory Centre, School of Mathematical Sciences, Australian National University
1990 -
Career position - Visiting Fellow at Mount Stromlo & Siding Springs Observatories, Australian National University
1990 -
Career position - Professor Emeritus at the University of St Andrews

Published resources

Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Exhibitions

Resources

Resource Sections

See also

Digital resources

Title
Walter Stibbs
Type
Image

Details

Rosanne Walker

EOAS ID: biogs/P002685b.htm

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