Astronomers

Humason, Milton La Salle

Milton La Salle Humason: A Self-Taught Giant in the Realm of Galaxies

Milton La Salle Humason (1891-1972), born in a small Minnesota town, rose to become a pioneering figure in the field of astronomy, despite lacking formal education. His story is a testament to the power of self-learning and dedication.

Humason's journey began at Mount Wilson Observatory in 1920, where he joined the staff as an assistant. This marked the start of a remarkable collaboration with Edwin Hubble, one of the most influential astronomers of the 20th century. Together, they delved into the mysteries of the universe, focusing on the nature, spectra, and radial motions of galaxies.

Humason's expertise lay in obtaining and analyzing spectra of distant objects. He meticulously photographed the spectra of supernovae in external galaxies, contributing crucial data for understanding these explosive events. His meticulous observations and keen eye for detail were instrumental in expanding our knowledge of the universe's vastness and its intricate workings.

One intriguing episode from Humason's career involved a quest for a trans-Neptunian planet. In 1919, he was tasked by W. H. Pickering to conduct a photographic search for this hypothetical world. Humason took numerous plates, but his search proved unsuccessful. However, years later, after Pluto's discovery, a re-examination of Humason's plates revealed a surprising fact: he had captured images of Pluto twice, but both times the images were obscured - once by a star and once by a flaw in the plate!

Humason's legacy extends beyond his scientific contributions. His unwavering dedication to his craft, combined with his humble beginnings and self-taught background, make him a shining example of how passion and perseverance can overcome any obstacle. He demonstrated that the pursuit of knowledge is accessible to all, regardless of their formal qualifications.

Milton Humason's work, in collaboration with Hubble and others, revolutionized our understanding of the universe. His meticulously collected data laid the foundation for our current understanding of the vast scale of the cosmos and the dynamic evolution of galaxies. Humason's story serves as an inspiring reminder that the quest for knowledge can lead to extraordinary discoveries, even for those who begin their journeys with limited resources.


Test Your Knowledge

Quiz: Milton La Salle Humason

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What was Milton La Salle Humason's primary role at Mount Wilson Observatory?

a) Astronomer b) Telescope operator c) Assistant d) Director

Answer

c) Assistant

2. With whom did Humason collaborate closely to study galaxies?

a) Albert Einstein b) Carl Sagan c) Edwin Hubble d) Stephen Hawking

Answer

c) Edwin Hubble

3. Humason's expertise lay in obtaining and analyzing which type of data?

a) Radio waves b) X-rays c) Infrared light d) Spectra

Answer

d) Spectra

4. What surprising discovery was made upon re-examining Humason's photographic plates from his search for a trans-Neptunian planet?

a) He had photographed a new galaxy. b) He had captured images of Pluto twice. c) He had discovered a new asteroid belt. d) He had found evidence of a black hole.

Answer

b) He had captured images of Pluto twice.

5. What is the most significant takeaway from Humason's life and career?

a) The importance of formal education in scientific fields. b) The power of perseverance and dedication to overcome challenges. c) The need for collaboration in scientific discovery. d) The value of using sophisticated equipment in astronomy.

Answer

b) The power of perseverance and dedication to overcome challenges.

Exercise:

Instructions: Imagine you are a young aspiring astronomer in the early 20th century. You are inspired by Humason's story and want to contribute to the field, despite lacking formal education.

Write a short paragraph explaining your approach to learning astronomy and how you would seek opportunities to contribute to scientific research, drawing inspiration from Humason's story.

Exercice Correction

Humason's story shows that passion and dedication can outweigh formal education. I would immerse myself in astronomy books, journals, and lectures. I would seek out experienced astronomers and offer my services as an assistant, even in menial tasks. By observing, learning, and proving my worth, I hope to contribute to research, just as Humason did. Like him, I believe that with enough dedication and perseverance, I can make my mark on the field of astronomy.


Books

  • "The Accidental Universe: The Story of How Our Universe Came to Be" by Alan Lightman (2014): This book explores the history of cosmology, including the contributions of Humason and Hubble.
  • "Edwin Hubble: Mariner of the Nebulae" by Gale E. Christianson (1995): This biography of Hubble delves into his life and work, including his collaboration with Humason.
  • "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan (1980): This classic book discusses the history of astronomy and the universe, mentioning Humason's contributions.
  • "The Great Cosmic Computer: The Story of the Universe and How We Came to Know It" by William J. Kaufmann III (2008): This book covers the history of astronomy and provides a detailed look at the development of our understanding of the universe.

Articles

  • "Milton L. Humason: A Self-Taught Astronomer" by William C. Keel (2008): This article provides a detailed overview of Humason's life and career. It's accessible through the University of Alabama website.
  • "Milton L. Humason, 1891-1972" by J. W. Evans (1974): This obituary was published in the "Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific."
  • "Humason, Milton La Salle" by W. Baade (1972): This biography appeared in the "Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences."

Online Resources

  • "Milton La Salle Humason" entry on the website of the National Academy of Sciences: This page provides a short biographical sketch and highlights his contributions to astronomy.
  • "Milton La Salle Humason" entry on the website of the Mount Wilson Observatory: This website contains detailed information about Humason's work at the observatory and his collaboration with Hubble.
  • "The Humason Archive" (University of California, San Diego): Although not publicly accessible, the UCSD archive contains a vast collection of Humason's research materials and photographs, providing a valuable resource for scholars.

Search Tips

  • Use specific keywords: Include "Milton La Salle Humason," "Mount Wilson Observatory," "Edwin Hubble," and "Astronomy."
  • Include relevant terms: Add "biography," "contributions," "research," or "legacy" to refine your search.
  • Specify dates: Include the years of his life (1891-1972) in your search to narrow the results.
  • Explore related topics: Search for terms like "redshift," "galaxies," "spectroscopy," or "supernovae" to find information relevant to his work.

Techniques

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Similar Terms
Stellar AstronomyCosmologyGalactic AstronomyAstronomersSolar System Astronomy

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