Willie W. Smith

American astronomer

Willie W. Smith in 1927

Willie Wesley Smith (April 5, 1900 – March 30, 1964) was an American astronomer known for his work in astrophysics and celestial mechanics. He made significant contributions to the study of comets and asteroids, and his research helped advance the understanding of orbital dynamics.

Early Life and Education

Willie W. Smith was born in Nashville, Tennessee, where he developed an early interest in the stars and planets. He pursued his passion for astronomy by attending Vanderbilt University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1921. Smith continued his education at the University of Chicago, obtaining a Ph.D. in astronomy in 1926. His doctoral thesis focused on the dynamics of cometary orbits, a subject that would remain central to his career.

Career

Smith began his professional career at the Yerkes Observatory, where he worked as a research assistant. His early work involved the observation and analysis of spectra from various celestial bodies. In 1930, he joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught courses in astronomy and conducted research on the motion of small bodies in the solar system.

Research Contributions

Smith's research was primarily focused on the study of comets and asteroids. He developed new methods for calculating the orbits of these objects, which improved the accuracy of predictions about their paths. His work on the perturbations of cometary orbits by the gravitational influence of Jupiter was particularly influential.

Smith also contributed to the understanding of asteroid families, groups of asteroids that share similar orbital elements. His studies helped to identify several such families and provided insights into their origins and evolution.

Later Life and Legacy

In the later years of his career, Smith became interested in the broader implications of his work for the field of planetary science. He published several papers on the potential for asteroid impacts on Earth and the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects.

Smith retired from active teaching in 1960 but continued to be involved in research until his death in 1964. His contributions to astronomy were recognized by his peers, and he was posthumously awarded the Bruce Medal for his lifetime achievements in the field.

Related Pages

• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Comet
• Asteroid
• Orbital dynamics