Alexander J. Dessler (October 21, 1928 – April 9, 2023) was an American
space scientist known for conceiving the term
heliosphere and for founding the first Space Science Department in the United States.[1][2]
Dessler was
emeritus professor of
Space Physics and
Astronomy at Rice University, active from 1963 to 1992. His research subject areas are
magnetospheric physics, planetary magnetospheres, primarily of
Jupiter and
planetary science. He was founding chair of the Department of Space Science at Rice University, later known as the Department of Space Physics and Astronomy.[6]
Dessler served three terms as chair of the department and retired in 1992.[7][4] During that interval, from 1982 to 1986 he was Director of the Space Science Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
His educational innovations include the use of Keller-method inquiry-based self-paced instruction starting in 1970 and was instrumental in encouraging women and minorities in science.[8]
In 1993, Dessler became senior research scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory,
University of Arizona, until 2007.[9] He was retired and an adjunct professor of Space Physics at Texas A & M University.[10][7]
At the Possible Relationships Between Solar Activity and Meteorological Phenomena symposium,
Goddard Space Flight Center, November 7–8, 1973,
Charles Greely Abbot's lifelong work on solar activity provided the foundation for research as a possible driver for Earth
weather. In addressing the topic, A. J. Dessler commented that any increased energy received in Earth's
troposphere due to increased solar activity is negligible, and that correlations alone do not establish causation. The challenges facing scientists with complex systems like the planet's weather require finding a coupling mechanism. He suggested to continue seeking physical mechanisms.[11]
In 2004, Dessler refuted the proposition put forth by retired
NASA scientist
Addison Bain concerning the causes and combustion of the
Hindenburg disaster. Dessler described Bain's incendiary paint theory as flawed science based on the
stoichiometry of the coating's composition, the very slow burn rate of the metallic coating of the airship, and the lack of a high enough energy source to ignite the coating.[12][13]
Personal life and death
Dessler and his wife, Lorraine, were married for almost 70 years before her death in November 2021. They had four children, including Texas A & M atmospheric scientist
Andrew Dessler.[citation needed]
Dessler died in Bryan, Texas on April 9, 2023, at the age of 94.[14]
^
abDick, Steven J.; Launius, Roger D. (2007).
Societal Impact of Spaceflight(PDF). Washington D.C.: National aeronautics and Space administration Office of External Relations History Division. p. 456..458.
ISBN978-0-16-080190-7. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
^
abDessler, A. J.; Talbot, Jr., R. J. (1977). "Comment on personalized instruction: A summary of comparative research 1967-1974". Am. J. Phys. 45 (8): 700.
Bibcode:
1977AmJPh..45Q.770D.
doi:
10.1119/1.10771.