Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell Moore by Carol Djanogly, 1999. © Carol Djanogly
A series of photographic portraits celebrating Britain’s key astronomers is to go on display at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) to celebrate International Year of Astronomy.
The portraits, selected from the NPG’s collection, will accompany a newly commissioned painted portrait of the Astronomer Royal, Baron Rees, President of the Royal Society, by regular exhibitor in the BP Portrait Award, Benjamin Sullivan.
Lord Rees is currently Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics, University of Cambridge and President of the Royal Society. Interested in both the scientific and philosophical aspects of cosmology, his research interests are in 'extreme' cosmic phenomena, black holes, cosmic structure formation and 'dark matter'.
Sir Arnold Whittaker Wolfendale by Lucinda Douglas-Menzies, 2007. © Lucinda Douglas-Menzies / National Portrait Gallery, London
The photographic portraits in the free display include a series of recently acquired photographs of UK astronomers by acclaimed photographer Lucinda Douglas- Menzies.
As featured in her book, Portraits of Astronomers (published in association with the Science Museum), the selection of portraits range from scientists involved in early discoveries in radio astronomy right up to those engaged in the latest developments in astrophysics and cosmology including Sir Arnold Wolfendale, Len Culhane, Dame Carole Jordan, Roger Penrose and John Peacock.
Further portraits of astronomers on display include Sir Patrick Moore by Carolyn Djanogly, Sir Bernard Lovell by Ed Barber, Jocelyn Bell Burnell by Julia Hedgecoe, and Stephen Hawking by David Gamble.
Monica Mary Grady (Mrs I.Wright) by Lucinda Douglas-Menzies 2008. © Lucinda Douglas-Menzies / National Portrait Gallery, London
Coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first glimpses through a telescope and the birth of modern astronomy, International Year of Astronomy gives people the chance to get involved and experience the wonders of the night sky. See www.astronomy2009.co.uk for more information.
