Adam Frank
Adam Frank | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 August 1962 New York, New York, United States |
| Nationality | United States |
| Alma mater | University of Washington |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | University of Rochester |
Adam Frank (born 1 August 1962 in New York City) is a United States physicist, astronomer, and writer. His research focuses on computational astrophysics with an emphasis on star formation and late stages of stellar evolution. His popular writing has focused on issues of science it its cultural context, including issues of science and religion and the role of technology in the human experience of time. He is a co-founder of NPR's 13.7 Cosmos and Culture Blog.[1]
Biography
Frank was born in Belleville, New Jersey, on August 1, 1962. He attended the University of Colorado for his undergraduate work and received his PhD from the University of Washington. He held post-doctoral positions at Leiden University in the Netherlands and the University of Minnesota. In 1995, Frank was awarded the Hubble Fellowship.[2] In 1996, he joined the faculty of the University of Rochester, where he is currently a professor of astrophysics.
Frank's research focus is astrophysical fluid dynamics. His research group developed the AstroBEAR adaptive mesh refinement code used for simulating magneto fluid dynamics flows in astrophysical contexts.[3] Projects using AstroBEAR include the study of jets from protostars as well the evolution of planetary nebula at the end of a solar-type star's life.
Popular writing
Frank's first book was The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs. Religion Debate. Published in 2009, it attempted to define alternative perspectives in the discussion of science and religion. Frank's second book, published in the fall of 2011, is called About Time: Cosmology and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang, and it explores the relationship between changing ideas in cosmology and the cultural idea of time.
In 2010, Frank co-founded NPR's 13.7 Cosmos and Culture Blog with Marcelo Gleiser. Frank has also written for magazines such as Discover.[4] His work appeared in 2009 Best Science and Nature Writing and 2009 Best Buddhist Writing.
Frank wrote an article titled "Yes, There Have Been Aliens", based on his astronomical observations, which stated "a trillion civilizations still would have appeared over the course of cosmic history."[5][6]
Awards and recognition
- 2009 Best American Science and Nature Writing[7]
- 1999 American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division Popular Writing Award for a Scientist[8]
- 1997-2002 NSF CAREER Grant[9]
- 1995 Hubble Fellow[2]
Selected publications
- The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs Religion Debate, University of California Press (January 10, 2009), ISBN 978-0-520-26586-8
- The End of the Beginning: Cosmology Culture and Time at the Twilight of the Big Bang, (Sept 27, 2010), ISBN 978-0-452-27606-2
References
- ^ 13.7: Cosmos And Culture
- ^ a b "Hubble Fellowships: Listing of all Hubble Fellows 1990-2014". Space Telescope Science Institute. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ Simulating Magnetohydrodynamical Flow with Constrained Transport and Adaptive Mesh Refinement: Algorithms and Tests of the AstroBEAR Code
- ^ DISCOVER MAGAZINE 3 Theories That Might Blow Up The Big Bang
- ^ Anderson, Ross (17 June 2016). "Fancy Math Can't Make Aliens Real". TheAtlantic.com. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|subscription=,|registration=,|editors=, and|dead-url=(help) - ^ Frank, Adam. "Yes, There Have Been Aliens". NyTimes.com. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|subscription=,|registration=,|editors=, and|dead-url=(help) - ^ Kolbert, Elizabeth; Folger, Tim, eds. (2009). The best American science and nature writing 2009. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0547002590.
- ^ "Previous Winners of the SPD Popular Writing Awards". Solar Physics Division (SPD) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Award Abstract #9702484 CAREER: Understanding Stellar Overflows". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
