June 4, 2001
Astronomer Sandra Faber elected to American Philosophical Society
By Tim Stephens
Astronomer Sandra Faber, a University Professor of astronomy and astrophysics, was
elected to the American Philosophical Society on April 29. The learned society, founded
in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, honors extraordinary accomplishments in all fields.
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| Faber was one of three scientists who diagnosed a flaw in the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. |
She has made significant scientific contributions in the areas of structure and
formation of elliptical galaxies; the nature, compositions, and motions of stars
within a galaxy as related to their ages; and the streaming motions of large numbers
of galaxies. Important concepts such as "cold dark matter" and the "Great
Attractor" are direct results of work by Faber and her colleagues.
Two of the major optical astronomy ventures of recent years have benefited from Faber's
involvement: the Hubble Space Telescope and the W. M. Keck Observatory. She was one
of three scientists who diagnosed a flaw in the Hubble's mirror and later helped
craft the strategy for a successful repair mission. She is a member of Hubble's wide
field/planetary camera team, which directs many of the telescope's most striking
observations.
In addition, for nearly two decades Faber has helped plan and develop the Keck
Observatory in Hawaii, home to the world's largest optical and infrared telescopes.
Faber's many honors include election to both the National Academy of Sciences and
the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1995, she was appointed University
Professor, the highest honor for faculty in the UC system.
Faber earned her B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College and her Ph.D. in astronomy
from Harvard University. She joined the faculty of UCSC and the UC Observatories/Lick
Observatory in 1972.
