Description
HE BELIEVED THAT THE SUN WAS A VARIABLE STAR THAT AFFECTED THE WEATHER ON EARTH AND IN 1953, HE DISCOVERED A CONNECTION BETWEEN SOLAR VARIATIONS AND PLANETARY CLIMATE, WHICH ALLOWED GENERAL CLIMATE PATTERNS TO BE PREDICTED YEARS IN ADVANCE. LATER IN HIS RESEARCH CAREER HE TURNED HIS FOCUS ON SOLAR ENERGY USE. HERE HE TELLS US THE PURPOSE OF HIS LIFE’S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK
CHARLES GREELEY ABBOT (1872-1973) SIGNED QUOTE, “Charles Greeley Abbot”, on a card 4.25 x 3.5, by the American astrophysicist and the fifth secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, serving from 1928-1944. In 1907 he became Director of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and in 1929 he opened the Radiation Biology Laboratory there, to study radiation effects on plants and other organisms. This helped to develop the first wave of biophysics researchers in the United States. As an astrophysicist he researched the solar constant (used in the calculation of radiation pressure, which aids in the calculation of a force on a solar sail, which are a method of spacecraft propulsion using radiation pressure exerted by sunlight on large mirrors). This research led him to invent the solar cooker, solar boiler, solar still, and other patented solar energy inventions. His handwritten quote summarizes the purpose of his life’s work, in full: “For the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” The card is in fine condition, with minor age toning, and the city and date, “Washington, Jan. 17, 1928” in another hand on the lower left.
$225 #12682
