Riccardo Giacconi

RICCARDO GIACCONI, University Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has revolutionized the discipline of astrophysics using the X-ray region of the spectrum to discover fundamental properties of black holes, neutron stars, clusters of galaxies, and quasars. In 2002, he was the co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics for this groundbreaking research. His tremendous contributions to astrophysics have been recognized through the array of honors bestowed upon him by the scientific community. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he has received the 2003 National Medal of Science, the United States’ top scientific recognition. Other awards include the Wolf Prize in Physics, the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, and the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award. He has been awarded honorary degrees from universities around the world, including the University of Warsaw, the University of Rome, and the University Uppsala, Sweden. Dr. Giacconi has brought honor and prestige to The Johns Hopkins University, first as a director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, and after as professor of astronomy and research.