Lyman Spitzer(1914–1997)
AstronomyLyman Spitzer Jr. was an American theoretical physicist, astronomer and mountaineer. As a scientist, he carried out research into star formation and plasma physics and in 1946 conceived the idea of telescopes operating in outer space.
United StatesPrinceton University
3
Major Awards
197
Publications
11,674
Citations
34
h-index
54
i10-index
59.3
Avg Citations/Paper
Awards & Recognition
Career Path
Award progression over time
Apex Elite Prestigious
Education
Princeton University
St John's College
Phillips Academy
Yale College
Scott High School
Doctoral Advisors
George B. FieldTrinh Xuan ThuanJ. Richard GottJohn Beverley OkeLeonard SearleBruce ElmegreenDavid C. MontgomeryRobert Hugh SandersHaldan CohnMichael ShullMalcolm Paul SavedoffHenry Norris Russell
Career Timeline
Harvard University1938–1939
Yale University1939–1941
Yale University1946–1947
Princeton University1947–1997
Positions & Roles
chairperson
Academy Memberships
National Academy of Sciences (US)
Related Laureates
Other winners of the same award(s)
CB
Charles Bennett
Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2023)
RS
Rashid Sunyaev
Bruce Medal (2022)
RG
Reinhard Genzel
Nobel Prize in Physics (2020)
AG
Andrea Ghez
Nobel Prize in Physics (2020)
FH
Fred Hoyle
Crafoord Prize in Astronomy (1997)
MS
Martin Schwarzschild
Crafoord Prize in Astronomy (1997)

Jan Oort
Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences (1987)

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Copley Medal (1984)
Data Sources
Profile data aggregated from OpenAlex, Wikidata, and curated award records. Citation metrics may vary between sources.
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