Werner Kolhörster

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Werner Heinrich Gustav Kolhörster (December 28, 1887–August 5, 1946) was a German physicist and a pioneer of research into cosmic rays.

He was born in Schwiebus (since renamed to Świebodzin). While attending the University of Halle he studied physics.^[1]

Repeating the cosmic ray experiments of Victor Hess, in 1913-14 Werner Kolhörster ascended by balloon to an altitude of 9 km, where he confirmed Hess' result that the ionization rate from cosmic rays was greater at that altitude than at sea level. This was evidence that the source for these ionizing rays came from above the Earth's atmosphere.^[2]

He continued his physics studies at the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt in Berlin, beginning in 1914. During World War I he made measurements of atmospheric electricity in Turkey. Following the war he became a teacher. He joined the Physikalisch-Technische Reichsanstalt in 1922.^[1]

In 1928–29, Walter Bothe and Werner Kolhörster used the Geiger-Muller detector to demonstrate that cosmic rays were actually charged particles. The ability of these particles to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere meant that they must be highly energetic.^[3]

In 1930, Werner Kolhörster started the first institute for the study of cosmic rays in Potsdam, with financial assistance from the Prussian Academy. He became director of the Institut fur Hohenstrahlungsforschung in Berlin-Dahlem in 1935, where he was appointed an ordinary professor.^[1]

He was killed in a car crash in Munich.^[1] Kolhörster crater on the Moon was named in his memory.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Mehra, J.; Rechenberg, H. (1987). The Historical Development of Quantum Theory, 1st edition, New York: Springer-Verlag. ISBN 0387962840. 
2. ^ Putje, A.; Fourier, J. (June 2006). Propagation of cosmic rays in the Earth's atmosphere (PDF) 165. HAL-IN2P3. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
3. ^ Staff (February 5, 2000). From the February 1, 1930, issue. Science News. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.