Northern Star: J. S. Plaskett

John Stanley Plaskett was Canada's pre-eminent astronomer in the first half of the twentieth century. His legacy lives on in the observatory he founded in Victoria, British Columbia, and the reputation he built for Canada as a nation making vital contributions to basic science. Plaskett's pioneering work with the most massive stars and his definitive determination of the rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy earned him international recognition of the highest order.__Northern Star__ John Stanley Plaskett was Canada's pre-eminent astronomer in the first half of the twentieth century. His legacy lives on in the observatory he founded in Victoria, British Columbia, and the reputation he built for Canada as a nation making vital contributions to basic science. Plaskett's pioneering work with the most massive stars and his definitive determination of the rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy earned him international recognition of the highest order. Northern Star explores Plaskett's unorthodox and fascinating life from his rural roots near Woodstock, Ontario through his days as a technician at the University of Toronto to his initiation in astronomy at the Dominion Observatory in Ottawa. His greatest achievements followed after he persuaded the government of Canada, in spite of the strictures of the First World War, to finance what was then the world's largest operational telescope. Peter Broughton's accessible and engaging prose illuminates Plaskett's numerous achievements and the social, political, economic, and religious milieu surrounding them. This richly illustrated volume invites readers to understand the pull that Plaskett's passions, personality, and motivations exerted on him during his lifetime. -- (Résumé de l'éditeur)

John Stanley Plaskett was Canada’s pre-eminent astronomer in the first half of the twentieth century. His legacy lives on in the observatory he founded in Victoria, British Columbia, and the reputation he built for Canada as a nation making vital contributions to basic science. Plaskett’s pioneering work with the most massive stars and his definitive determination of the rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy earned him international recognition of the highest order.

Northern Star explores Plaskett’s unorthodox and fascinating life from his rural roots near Woodstock, Ontario through his days as a technician at the University of Toronto to his initiation in astronomy at the Dominion Observatory in Ottawa. His greatest achievements followed after he persuaded the government of Canada, in spite of the strictures of the First World War, to finance what was then the world’s largest operational telescope. Peter Broughton’s accessible and engaging prose illuminates Plaskett’s numerous achievements and the social, political, economic, and religious milieu surrounding them. This richly illustrated volume invites readers to understand the pull that Plaskett’s passions, personality, and motivations exerted on him during his lifetime.

"John Stanley Plaskett was Canada's pre-eminent astronomer in the first half of the twentieth century. His legacy lives on in the observatory he founded in Victoria, BC, and the reputation he built for Canada as a nation making vital contributions to basic science. Plaskett's pioneering work with the most massive stars and his definitive determination of the rotation of the Milky Way Galaxy earned him international recognition of the highest order. Northern Star explores Plaskett's unorthodox and fascinating life from his rural roots near Woodstock through his days as a technician at the University of Toronto to his initiation in astronomy at the Dominion Observatory in Ottawa. His greatest achievements followed after he persuaded the government of Canada, in spite of the strictures of the First World War, to finance what was then the world's largest operational telescope. Peter Broughton's accessible and engaging prose illuminates Plaskett's numerous achievements and the social, political, economic, and religious milieu surrounding them. This richly illustrated volume invites readers to understand the pull that Plaskett's passions, personality, and motivations exerted on him during his lifetime."-- Provided by publisher Contents 5 Foreword 7 Preface 13 Acknowledgments 19 Abbreviations 21 Part One: Preparing the Ground 27 1. Rural Roots, to 1890 5 27 2. Toronto, 1890–1903 46 3. Ottawa Advancement, 1903–1907 73 Part Two: Budding Scientist 111 4. The Sun and the Stars, 1906–1911 111 5. The Dream of an Upright Man, 1911–1913 137 6. Transition, 1913–1917 164 Part Three: Career in Full Flower 201 7. This Is the House That Jack Built, 1917–1921 201 8. Challenges and Rewards, 1921–1923 235 9. The Farthest Stars, 1924–1926 262 10. Beyond the Stars, 1927–1930 288 11. The Big Picture, 1930–1934 319 Part Four: The Fruits of His Labour 355 12. Retirement, 1934–1941 355 13. Regeneration, 1942- 385 Appendices 403 Appendix A: Published Papers by J.S. Plaskett 405 Appendix B: Talks Given by J.S. Plaskett 421 Notes 437 Selected Bibliography 531 Index 535