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James A. Van Allen - Dies at 91

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the ironically-wore-suspenders dept.

Diamonddavej writes "The New York Times reports that the respected astrophysicist, James A. Van Allen, died yesterday at the age of 91. Apparently the fellow regularly worked at his office/laboratory up until a month ago. Prof. Van Allen team designed the Geiger counter that flew aboard Americas first orbiting satellite, Explorer 1. It detected unexpectedly intense levels of radiation caused by energetic particles trapped in the Earth magnetic field, the magnetosphere. The belts of radiation were mapped and characterised by later missions and were named the Van Allen belts in honour of their discoverer."

4 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. Ah, we can believe this story . . . by GMontag · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Since it is not being reported by Philip Chien, formerly of Wired so, I suppose, we can believe it . . .

    Ah, it is the New York Times, which is much more accurate than an Examiner story, compare and contrast at the link :)

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    Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
  2. Re:Man-Made Equivalent by shwonline · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Does the Wikipedia article make any reference to Stephen Colbert?

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  3. Oh gods... by TwoScoopsOfPig · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Why do the taglines just keep getting worse?
    I draw the line at bad clothing puns.

    Somebody sack the writers.

    -Ed.

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    #include <disclaimer.h>
    #include <beer.h>
  4. Re:Dammit by WilliamSChips · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Can I ask what the virus is?

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