Donald Wayne Kurtz (1948 – ) is an astronomer known for his research into asteroseismology. He completed his PhD in astronomy at the University of Texas in 1976[1] before moving to Cape Town, where he became a professor at the University of Cape Town. In 2001, after 25 years in South Africa, he moved to the United Kingdom where he taught at the University of Central Lancashire till 2020 and is now an emeritus professor at UCLan. In 2020 Don was appointed Extraordinary Professor at North-West University (NWU)[2] and became a Visiting Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Lincoln. Don is a past councillor and Vice-President of the Royal Astronomical Society and has served as President of Commission 27 of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and on many international committees.[3]
Donald Kurtz | |
|---|---|
 Don Kurtz in 2021 | |
| Alma mater | University of Texas |
| Known for | Asteroseismology |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
| Institutions | University of Cape Town, University of Central Lancashire, North-West University, University of Lincoln |
Don Kurtz is best known for discovering oscillations in what is now known as rapidly-oscillating Ap (roAp) stars,[4] but has made many contributions to the study of oscillating stars and was President of the International Astronomical Union Commission on Variable Stars.[5] He is also well-known in his field for his public presentations and his advice to scientists on how to present their research well.[6] His regular live on-line Q&A sessions known as Astro-Chats with professor Don Kurtz, organised by the University of Lincoln, are attracting hundreds of attendees.[7]
Professor Kurtz is a recipient of the Royal Astronomical Society’s 2022 Service Award.[8]
References
edit- ^ Kurtz, D. W. (1976). Metallicism and pulsation: an analysis of the delta Delphini stars (PhD). Bibcode:1976PhDT.........5K.
- ^ "NWU Mahikeng Campus welcomes top-rated researcher | news.nwu.ac.za". news.nwu.ac.za. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
- ^ "UCLan professor awarded lifetime achievement award from the Royal Astronomical Society". www.lep.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ^ Kurtz, D. W. (1978). "12.15 Minute Light Variations in Przybylski's Star HD 101065". Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. 1436: 1. Bibcode:1978IBVS.1436....1K.
- ^ Jerzykiewicz, M.; Kurtz, D. W.; Guinan, E. F. (2000), "Division V: Variable stars - Commissions 27: Variable stars. 42: Close binary stars.", Transactions of the International Astronomical Union, 24A: 251, Bibcode:2000IAUTA..24..251J, doi:10.1017/S0251107X0000314X
- ^ Kurtz, D. W. (2006), "Advice on Giving a Scientific Talk", Astrophysics of Variable Stars, 349: 435, Bibcode:2006ASPC..349..435K
- ^ "Astro-Chats in Lincoln, UK - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
- ^ "Royal Astronomical Society reveals 2022 award winners". The Royal Astronomical Society. Retrieved 2022-02-01.