![]() But to get a view of the inner corona, you really can only see that during a total solar eclipse. The outermost layer of the sun is called the corona, and we can study the outer corona with space telescopes. So, he used the eclipse in order to understand one of the outer layers of the sun. So, I don't know in detail what his influence was within that particular field of astronomy. So, I personally am not a solar astronomer. Pasachoff played in that world, what exactly he was known for, and what distinguished his contributions in that field? Can you speak to the layperson who might not really understand what astronomers do or the role Mr. Now, much has been made to his contribution to science in the world of solar eclipses. He was a very enthusiastic advocate for science. ![]() He always knew every article that had been written recently about astronomical news, always wanted to talk about that and share his knowledge with students and with the public. He cared deeply about all his students, and he was very enthusiastic about the field of astronomy as a whole. He was very generous with his time, always looking out for students, trying to promote their careers and their success. Now, how would you describe his character? What was he like to spend time with? And so that's where I first interacted with him in person. He was always really great at looking for opportunities to get students involved in real life astronomical research, and always had groups of students coming with him on all of his eclipse trips and trips to telescopes. Then I ended up coming to Williams College as a student, and there, I didn't have Professor Pasachoff as an instructor in the classroom, but I did get to go with him on an observing trip to a professional observatory. And I enjoyed it so much that it made me think that astronomy was something I could see myself doing as a career. It was a captivating introduction to astronomy- Understandable, and he even threw in bits of humor in there as well that I still remember. And so that was- He essentially gave me my introduction to the whole field of astronomy, even though I didn't know him at the time. JASKOT: So actually, my first interaction with Professor Pasachoff came before I met him in person, but when I was a high school student taking an introductory astronomy course and we used his textbook. She spoke with WAMC about Pasachoff’s life and legacy: Anne Jaskot is an assistant professor of astronomy at Williams College. ![]() ![]() Born in New York City in 1943, he held three degrees from Harvard and started teaching at Williams in 1972. Pasachoff was known around the world for his expertise and passion for solar eclipses. Astronomer and Williams College professor Jay Pasachoff died of lung cancer at the age of 79 on Sunday in his Williamstown, Massachusetts home. ![]()
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