Peter A. Sturrock

Peter Andrew Sturrock (born 1924) is an British scientist. Much of his career has been devoted to astrophysics, plasma physics, and solar physics, but Sturrock is interrested in other fields, including ufology, scientific inference and in the history of science and philosophy of science. Sturrock has been awarded many prizes and honors, and has written or co-authored many scientific articles and textbooks.

Related Topics:
1924 - British - Astrophysics - Plasma physics - Solar physics - Ufology - Scientific inference - Philosophy of science

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Sturrock began his education studying mathematics at Cambridge University in 1942. During and after World War 2, Sturrock postponed his Cambridge studies in order to help develop radar systems at the Telecommunications Research Establishment, now the Royal Radar Establishment.

Related Topics:
Mathematics - Cambridge University - 1942 - World War 2 - Radar - Telecommunications Research Establishment - Royal Radar Establishment

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After the war Sturrock resumed his education, and was awarded a scholarship at St John's College in 1947, followed by the University Rayleigh Prize for mathematics in 1949. Sturrock was elected to a fellowship at St John's in 1952. He then persued work on electron physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, followed by stints at Cambridge, the National Bureau of Standards, and the Ecole Normale Superieure at the University of Paris

Related Topics:
Scholarship - St John's College - Electron - Cavendish Laboratory - National Bureau of Standards - Ecole Normale Superieure - University of Paris

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In 1951, Sturrock earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics. In the 1950's Sturrock researched nuclear physics at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment; plasma physics at St. Johns' College, Cambridge; microwave tubes at Stanford University; accelerator physics at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN). Also in the 1950's, Sturrock invented a number of implements, including a novel microwave tube later dubbed the "free-electron laser."

Related Topics:
Astrophysics - Nuclear physics - Atomic Energy Research Establishment - Plasma physics - Microwave - Stanford University - European Center for Nuclear Research

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In 1961, Sturrock was appointed a professor of applied physics at Stanford University, where he remained until 1998; he is currently an emeritus professor of physics and applied physics at Stanford. From 1992 to 1998, Sturrock was director of the Center for Space Science and Astrophysics, and from 1981 to 2001 was President of the Society for Scientific Exploration. Sturrock has also served as Chairman of the Plasma Physics Division and the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society.

Related Topics:
Applied physics - Stanford University - 1998 - Emeritus - American Astronomical Society

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