Steward Observatory head garners big academic prize

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Peter Strittmatter

Peter Strittmatter, 59, flew to Germany Sept. 14 to receive the coveted Karl Schwarzschild Medal in front of about 400 fellow astronomers.

"It doesn't make one bit of difference about one's work," he said. "It is nice but I don't feel any differently about what I have or haven't done."

That said, he confirmed that he was "delighted" he when received an e-mail asking if he would be willing to accept the prize.

"I certainly had not anticipated anything of that kind," Strittmatter said.

Strittmatter said the sum of his research on stars, white dwarfs and optical telescopes contributed to his selection.

Professor of Astronomy Roger Angel said Strittmatter is worthy of the award.

"Peter is a big figure in astronomy and he is the kind of player many of these awards go to," Angel said. "A lot of the growth of the Steward Observatory and prominence has taken place while he has been director."

Born outside of London, Strittmatter came the University of Arizona in 1971 as an associate professor to "exploit the new telescope on Kitt Peak," he said.

He said at the time, Arizona seemed to be the best place to study astronomy.

"Astronomy is very strong here in Arizona so it is an excellent professionally to work here and because the UA is steadily improving in quality," he said.

The first recipient of the medal was Martin Schwarzschild, who studied at Princeton, he said. Strittmatter said he studied in the same department in 1964.

Rolf Judritzki, a UA Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Munich Observatory, in Germany, said Strittmatter is a respectable prize winner.

"People in Germany carefully select candidates and it is remarkable Peter has won and really fair considering his achievements," he said.

Strittmatter said his future plans are to "keep going." He said he wants to complete the Large Binocular Telescope in the next four years to use it for scientific purposes.

Strittmatter said winning the prize does not make him feel more fulfilled about his scientific achievements.

Rachael Myer can be reached via e-mail at Rachael.Myer@wildcat.arizona.edu.