
Hale (hâl), George
Ellery
1868-1938
American astrophysicist
who invented the spectroheliograph (1891) and directed the Mount Wilson
Observatory (1904-1923).
Hale, George Ellery
Hale, George Ellery (1868-1938),
American astronomer, born in Chicago. In 1889 Hale invented the spectroheliograph,
a device used to study the surface of the
sun.
In 1908 he discovered that sunspots have magnetic fields. Hale conceived
and helped design the first giant reflecting telescope, an instrument installed
at Mount Palomar Observatory near San Diego, California, in 1948. It was
named the Hale Telescope in his honor.