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Arlo U. Landolt
Arlo Udell Landolt (September 29, 1935 – January 21, 2022) was an American astronomer known for his widely used photometric standards.[1][2] Life and careerEarly lifeLandolt was born in Highland, Illinois to farmers Arlo M. Landolt and Vesta Kraus Landolt [3] on September 29, 1935. He was the oldest of 4 (one brother, 2 sisters) Darnell M., Faye Beth, Sheryl Sue. He attended a one-room country grade school called IXL Country Grade School. He graduated grade school in 7 of 8 years because they accelerated his education.[3] All of Landolt's relatives, like his parents, were farmers.[3] After finishing grade school, he was the first of his family to go the high school.[3] While in high school he took all the classes for agriculture. It was not until later on that Landolt showed interest in mathematics, physics, and the sciences.[3] He was involved in 4H clubs and projects.[3] He would base his projects on the hogs on their farm but would try to use the purebred over the crossed and mixed breeds that his father would raise.[3] He would sell the hogs to get a Funk and Wagnall’s Encyclopedia set.[3] He graduated from Highland High School in 1952. EducationAfter graduating, he wanted to attend M.I.T, but his family could not afford it.[3] He instead attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for his undergraduate studies. He planned to transfer to M.I.T after his 3rd year in a program offered by the university, but decided to complete his schooling there.[3] In order to attend the university he had a job as a busboy and washing dishes in the dorms as well as some help from his parents for tuition.[3] Early on, he took a course on astronomy which he credits to be the start of his interest in that science.[3] He wanted to push through college so he attended for 3 years and 2 summers. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and physics from Miami University in 1955. He began his graduate studies at age 19[3] at Indiana University in 1955. He attended for almost 7 years, 5 years being on campus and nearly 2 years being in the Antarctic after signing up for an expedition with the International Geophysical Year. The expedition was offered through the Arctic Institute of North America.[3] He was stationed at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station[3] with a group led by Paul Siple and it consisted of 9 other scientists, 9 Navy Sea-Bees, and a husky dog.[4] He was hired as an aurora and air glow scientist[3] along with the others hired to go on the expedition. He came back from the expedition during Christmas time in 1957.[3] He received his Ph.D. in 1962 from Indiana University.[5] Although he finished all requirements for his degree in 1962, he had not received his degree until June 1963 and that is what is officially on the degree.[3] Research career After graduating, Landolt served on committees with many organizations and was eventually elected Secretary of the American Astronomical Society.[4] This occurred for 3 terms.[4] He spent one year working for the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C.[4] In his later years, he became reacquainted with a high school classmate, Eunice Casper.[4] They got married and he helped raise her 4 daughters ages 6, 7, 8, and 10. They later had a daughter of their own named Jennifer Landolt Boutte.[4] He worked principally in photometry and published a number of widely used lists[6][7][8] of standard stars.[5][9] Landolt died on January 21, 2022, at the age of 86.[10] Honors and awards
Mount Landolt in Ellsworth Land, Antarctica is named in his honor, as well as the Landolt Astronomical Observatory at Louisiana State University and the asteroid 15072 Landolt.[2][9] References
External links
Archival collections
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