Eric Chaisson

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Eric Chaisson at his home near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts

Eric J. Chaisson is an American astrophysicist and science educator best known for his research, teaching and writing on the interdisciplinary science of cosmic evolution. (Closely related subjects include epic of evolution, big history, and astrobiology). He is also noted for his original research on the interstellar clouds and emission nebulae of the Milky Way Galaxy, and for his leadership in improving science education nationally and internationally.

Chaisson earned his PhD at Harvard University in 1972 and has since held appointments at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Johns Hopkins University, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. He is currently director of the Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University, where he holds research professorships in the department of physics and in the school of education. As an Associate of the Harvard College Observatory, he also serves with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, where he teaches an annual undergraduate course on the subject of cosmic evolution (cf., web site below).

Chaisson has published more than a hundred papers in the refereed journals and written a dozen books, several of which have won awards, such as the B.J. Bok Prize (Harvard) for astronomical discoveries, the Smith-Weld Prize (Harvard) for literary merit, and the 2007 Kistler Award [1] (Foundation for the Future) for increasing understanding of subjects shaping the future of humanity. He has also won scholarly prizes from Phi Beta Kappa and the American Institute of Physics, a Certificate of Merit from NASA for work on the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as fellowships from the Sloan Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences.

Chaisson's major research interests are twofold: His scientific agenda addresses an interdisciplinary, thermodynamic study of physical and biological systems, thereby seeking to understand the origin, evolution, and unification of galaxies, stars, planets, and life in the universe.^[1-5] His educational work engages master teachers and computer animators to create better methods, technological aids, and novel curricula to enthuse teachers, instruct students, and enhance scientific literacy of everyone from grade school to grad school.^[6-9]

Recent References

1. "A Unifying Concept for Astrobiology," International Journal of Astrobiology, v 2, p 91, 2003.
2. "Complexity: An Energetics Agenda," Complexity, Journal of Santa Fe Inst., v 9, p 14, 2004.
3. "Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics in an Energy-rich Universe," In Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics and Production of Entropy, Kleidon, A. and Lorenz, R., Springer-Verlag, 2005.
4. "The Great Unifier," New Scientist, v 189, p 36, 2006.
5. "Long-Term Global Heating from Energy Usage," EoS Transactions American,Geophysical Union, v 89, p 253, 2008.
6. "Rhythm of the Cosmos: Finding Unity among the Natural Sciences," Tufts Magazine, p 16, Spring, 2001.
7. Cosmic Evolution: Rise of Complexity in Nature, Harvard Univ. Press, 2001. ISBN 0-674-00342-X
8. Epic of Evolution: Seven Ages of the Cosmos, Columbia Univ. Press, 2006. ISBN 0-231-13560-2
9. Astronomy Today (co-authored with S. McMillan), Pearson, 6 editions, 1993-2008. ISBN 0-13-091542-4

External links

• Eric Chaisson's web site
• Wright Center web site
• Cosmic evolution web site