George Carruthers

UBC Preservice Science Teacher Education

19 George Carruthers

Dr. George Carruthers

Time Period: 1939 – Present

Subject: Physics

Biography:

Dr. George Carruthers is an African American physicist, inventor, and space scientist, born on October 1, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1961, and later, his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1969. His early career was spent at NASA, where he made groundbreaking contributions to the field of space exploration, particularly in the development of instruments for observing the Earth’s atmosphere and other celestial bodies in infrared wavelengths.

Throughout his career, Dr. Carruthers has contributed to over 50 patents and has been involved in many space missions. His most notable achievement came in 1972 when he served as the principal investigator for the first Moon-based telescope on the Apollo 16 mission. His research on space-based infrared astronomy continues to shape our understanding of the universe.

Summary of their contributions:

Dr. Carruthers’ contributions to physics and space science are vast and transformative. He was instrumental in developing instruments used in NASA missions to study the Earth and other planets in infrared radiation, which allows for a deeper understanding of space phenomena. His work on the Apollo 16 mission led to the successful deployment of the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph, which was the first instrument to provide detailed images of the Moon in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums.

Beyond his work with NASA, Carruthers’ inventions and innovations in infrared astronomy have allowed for the creation of technologies that are still in use today in space missions, including infrared sensors and telescopes. His research helped further the understanding of cosmic phenomena, including the formation of stars and galaxies, as well as Earth’s atmosphere. His legacy is a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and representation in scientific fields.

Integration with the BC Secondary Science Curriculum:

Grade 11 Physics – Waves and Optics:
- Content Area: Understanding the properties of electromagnetic waves (including infrared radiation).
- Integration: Introduce students to infrared radiation and its applications in space exploration. Use Dr. Carruthers’ work on infrared astronomy as an example of how physics concepts are applied in real-world scientific investigations. Students could explore how infrared waves allow scientists to study objects in space that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.
Grade 12 Physics – Space Exploration:
- Content Area: Study of space exploration technologies and tools, like telescopes and sensors.
- Integration: Dr. Carruthers’ work on the development of the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph for the Apollo 16 mission could be introduced as an example of how technology in space exploration uses principles of optics and radiation to collect data. Students could explore how tools like these contribute to our understanding of the universe and how innovations in physics directly impact space missions.