F. Richard Stephenson

F. Richard Stephenson ( born April 26, 1941) is a British geophysicist and astronomer.

Work areas

Until his retirement in 2004, Stephenson held a professorship at the Institute of Physics of the University of Durham. His research focuses on aspects of applied historical astronomy, in particular the evaluation of old astronomical observations as a contribution to current astronomical and geophysical issues. These include, for example, the long-term fluctuations in the Earth's rotation, historical supernovae, the changes in the trajectory of Comet Halley as well as historical fluctuations in solar activity. Accompanying originated research into the history of East Asian star maps and the accuracy präteleskopischer astronomical observations.

The asteroid ( 10979 ) Fristephenson was named after him.

  • Stephenson FR: Historical Eclipses and Earth 's rotation. Cambridge University Press 1997, ISBN 0-521-46194-4.
  • Stephenson FR, Green DA: Historical Supernovae and Their Remnants. Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 978-0-19-850766-6

Publications (selection)

  • Stephenson FR, Morrison, LV: Long -term changes in the rotation of the earth - 700 BC to A.D. In 1980. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, vol. 313 (1984), pp. 47-70.
  • Stephenson, FR: Historical Evidence Concerning the Sun: Interpretation of Sunspot Records falling on the Telescopic and Pretelescopic Eras. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, vol. 330, issue 1615 (1990 ), pp. 499-512.
  • Stephenson FR, Morrison, LV: Long-Term Fluctuations in the Earth 's rotation: 700 BC to AD 1990. Philosophical Transactions: Physical Sciences and Engineering, vol. 351, issue 1695 (1995 ), pp. 165-202.
  • Stephenson, FR, Green, DA: A reappraisal of some Proposed historical supernovae. Journal for the History of Astronomy, vol. 36, part 2, no 123 (2005 ), pp. 217 - 229 (online)
  • Stephenson, FR, Green, DA: A Catalogue of " guest stars " Recorded in East Asian History from the Earliest Times to AD In 1600. Journal for the History of Astronomy, vol. 40 (2009 ), pp. 31-54
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