James A. Van Allen
1914 – 2006

James A. Van Allen

American astrophysicist (1914–2006)

earth scientistnuclear physicistuniversity teacherphysicistastronomer
Born
1914-09-07, Mount Pleasant
Died
2006-08-09
Birthplace state
Iowa

Biography

James Alfred Van Allen was an American space physicist at the University of Iowa who was instrumental in establishing the field of magnetospheric research in space. His discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts in 1958, zones of energetic charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field, was the first major scientific finding of the Space Age. As principal investigator for scientific instruments on 24 Earth satellites and planetary missions, Van Allen provided the first in situ measurements of the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, pioneered the use of energetic particle absorption signatures to detect planetary rings and satellites, and carried out a multi-decade program of cosmic ray observations that established the radial gradient of galactic cosmic ray intensity from 1 AU to beyond 65 AU in the heliosphere.

Occupation

James A. Van Allen is recorded as a earth scientist, a nuclear physicist, a university teacher, a physicist and a astronomer, born in Iowa (1914–2006).

Connections to Iowa

James A. Van Allen was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa in 1914. Explore other notable figures from Iowa, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Glenn Miller
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Donna Reed
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Cloris Leachman
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Frequently asked about James A. Van Allen

Who was James A. Van Allen?
James A. Van Allen was American astrophysicist (1914–2006), born in Iowa (1914 – 2006).
When and where was James A. Van Allen born?
James A. Van Allen was born on 1914-09-07 in Mount Pleasant.
When did James A. Van Allen die?
James died on 2006-08-09.
What was James A. Van Allen known for?
James A. Van Allen is recorded as a earth scientist, a nuclear physicist, a university teacher, a physicist and a astronomer.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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