James Van Allen

About

Pioneer of magnetospheric research in space whose discovery of the radiation belts encircling the earth helped to further the science of astronomy. He was one of Time Magazine's Man of the Year in 1960.

Before Fame

As a naval officer in WW II he worked on radio-proximity artillery shells, and also supervised using captured V-2 rockets for probing the atmosphere.

Trivia

He proposed the launching of a satellite that returned back invaluable data about the composition of the upper atmosphere, and the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts.

Family Life

He was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Associated With

Both he and a fellow astronomer, Edwin Hubble, were once featured on the cover of Time magazine.