Prof. em. Dr. Harry Nussbaumer

Harry Nussbaumer headed the group for stellar astrophysics at the Institute of Astronomy at the ETH Zurich. In 1983 he was given the title of Professor. He retired on April 1st, 2001.

Prof. Nussbaumer was born on November 16, 1935 and is from Glattfelden ZH. He studied physics at the ETH Zurich and earned his doctorate with Professor Waldmeier. He specialized in atomic physics and spectroscopy for astrophysical problems at the University College London (1967-1969). Following further research at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA), Boulder, CO (1969-1971) and at the Observatoire de Paris, Meudon (1971-1972), he became senior assistant in the newly founded group for atomic physics and astrophysics at the ETH Zurich in the fall 1972; his habilitation was in the field of astrophysics. His research concentrated on the later stages of stellar evolution, especially symbiotic stars, and also on the calculation of atomic physical parameters which are essential for the interpretation of astronomical observation. A central focus was the connection between theoretical astrophysical models with high quality observations from earth and space observatories.

Prof. Nussbaumer is a member of several international astronomical organizations and has served on corresponding advisory committees. He was president of the Swiss Society of Astrophysics and Astronomy. In 1994 he was named associate member of the Royal Astronomical Society.