Gerry Neugebauer: Pioneer of infrared astronomy

Abstract

Sometime near the end of 2018, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This “mega” space infrared observatory builds on decades of extremely successful space infrared astronomy missions and infrared instruments for ground-based telescopes that have provided new insights into an otherwise hidden universe. None of this would have been possible if not for the groundbreaking efforts of the handful of physicists who created the field of infrared astronomy and convinced the astronomical community of its promise. Standing as the leader of this pioneering group was Gerry Neugebauer (1932–2014).