2010 Shaw Prize ($1M) for Astrophysics goes to Hopkins Faculty

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
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<p>Johns Hopkins University astrophysicist Charles Bennett and two colleagues have been awarded this year’s $1 million Shaw Prize in astronomy for groundbreaking research that has helped determine the precise age, composition and curvature of the universe.</p>

<p>Bennett was cited for his accomplishments as principal investigator of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, a spacecraft that in less than a decade has added significantly to our knowledge of the universe’s history and structure. WMAP, launched in 2001, observes and measures the cosmic background radiation, the oldest light in the universe.</p>

<p>Full Story:</p>

<p>Johns</a> Hopkins Astrophysicist Charles Bennett wins Shaw Prize | Johns Hopkins University - The Gazette</p>

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<p>Interestingly enough, Adam Riess won the Shaw Prize in 2006. Hopkins has some very, very, very accomplished astrophysicists and cosmologists.</p>

<p>[Adam</a> Riess - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Riess]Adam”>Adam Riess - Wikipedia)</p>

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<p>Cool. My son will be majoring in physics, either astro or particle, starting in the fall.</p>

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<p>^^ Congratulations. The head of the Physics department at Hopkins won the Nobel in 2002- Riccardo Giacconi - [Riccardo</a> Giacconi - Curriculum Vitae](<a href=“http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2002/giacconi-cv.html]Riccardo”>http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2002/giacconi-cv.html) It’s quite the remarkable department at Hopkins.</p>

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<p>I don’t think Giacconi actually does anything anymore, though.</p>

<p>To ihs76, you don’t pick out a concentration as an undergrad. You can attempt to take upper level or grad courses in those areas, but it won’t shop up on your son’s diploma or anything.</p>

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<p>yup. Those are just his areas of interest so I assume he will pursue research in one of those with the intention of going to grad school.</p>