Archive for February 3rd, 2012

In 1947, Dr. Chandrasekhar was scheduled to teach an advanced seminar in astrophysics at the University of Chicago.  At the time, he was living in Wisconsin, doing research at the Yerkes astronomical observatory.  He faced an in-the-dead-of-winter, twice-a-week, one-hundred-mile commute to teach the class, but he nonetheless agreed enthusiastically. Registration for the advanced seminar, however, fell far below expectations.  In fact, only two students signed up for the class.  Other faculty members expected Dr. Chandrasekhar to cancel the course so as to not waste his valuable time.  He determined, however, to continue with the course and give his very best (read more…)