Maarten Schmidt
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| Name | Maarten Schmidt |
| Birth date | December 28, 1929 |
| Birth place | Groningen, Netherlands |
| Death date | September 17, 2022 |
| Death place | Fresno, California, United States |
| Nationality | Dutch-American |
| Fields | Astronomy, Astrophysics |
| Institutions | California Institute of Technology, Palomar Observatory |
Maarten Schmidt was a renowned Dutch-American astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly in the discovery of quasars. Born in Groningen, Netherlands, Schmidt's work was influenced by notable astronomers such as Jan Oort and Bart Bok. He is best known for his discovery of the first quasar, which was announced in a paper published in the journal Nature in 1963, in collaboration with Allan Sandage and Jesse Greenstein. This discovery revolutionized the field of astrophysics and led to a greater understanding of the universe, including the study of black holes and galaxy evolution.
● Early Life and Education
Maarten Schmidt was born in Groningen, Netherlands, and grew up in a family of modest means. He developed an interest in astronomy at a young age, inspired by the work of Ejnar Hertzsprung and Willem de Sitter. Schmidt pursued his education at the University of Groningen, where he earned his undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics. He then moved to the University of Leiden, where he earned his Ph.D. in astronomy under the supervision of Jan Oort and Adriaan Blaauw. During his time at Leiden Observatory, Schmidt was exposed to the work of notable astronomers such as Bart Bok and Gerard Kuiper.
● Career
Schmidt's career in astronomy began at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he worked as a research fellow under the guidance of Jesse Greenstein and Guido Münch. He later became a staff member at the Palomar Observatory, where he conducted research on galaxies and quasars using the Hale Telescope. Schmidt's work at Palomar Observatory was influenced by collaborations with notable astronomers such as Allan Sandage and Halton Arp. He also held visiting positions at institutions such as the University of Cambridge and the Australian National University, where he worked with astronomers like Fred Hoyle and Bengt Strömgren.
● Research and Discoveries
Maarten Schmidt's most significant contribution to astronomy was the discovery of the first quasar, which was announced in 1963. This discovery was made possible by the use of the Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory and the collaboration with Allan Sandage and Jesse Greenstein. The discovery of quasars revolutionized the field of astrophysics and led to a greater understanding of the universe, including the study of black holes and galaxy evolution. Schmidt's research also focused on the study of galaxies, including the Andromeda Galaxy and the Sombrero Galaxy. He was also interested in the study of cosmology, particularly the work of Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose on black holes and the origin of the universe.
● Awards and Honors
Maarten Schmidt received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to astronomy, including the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship from the American Astronomical Society and the Karl Schwarzschild Medal from the Astronomische Gesellschaft. He was also awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ronald Reagan in 1991. Schmidt was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and he received honorary degrees from institutions such as the University of Groningen and the University of Leiden. He was also recognized for his contributions to the field of astrophysics by the American Physical Society and the International Astronomical Union.
● Personal Life
Maarten Schmidt was married to Cornelia Schmidt, and they had two children together. He was known for his love of classical music and his interest in philosophy, particularly the work of Immanuel Kant and Albert Einstein. Schmidt was also an avid hiker and enjoyed spending time in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He passed away on September 17, 2022, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of contributions to the field of astronomy and a lasting impact on our understanding of the universe, including the work of notable astronomers such as Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Arthur Eddington.