Johann Wempe Award 2001 - Tom Abel

It is a pleasure for us to announce the winner of the Johann Wempe Prize for the year 2001. It is Tom Abel from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Tom Abel's many research interests include

• the first structures in the universe
• Re-ionization and radiative transfer in cosmology
• quasar absorption line systems
• magnetohydrodynamics in the early universe
• formation of molecular clouds and globular clusters
• chemistry of the early universe
• the first stars

Tom Abel is expected to come to the institute in the second half of 2001. He will work together with various groups within the institute.

In honour of Dr.Johann Wempe (1906-1980), the last director of the former Astrophysical Observatory Potsdam (AOP), the Astrophysical Institute Potsdam (AIP) had announced the Johann Wempe Prize, to be awarded to an outstanding scientist. The prize is financed from funds left in the will of Johann Wempe, and comprises an invitation to spend several months as a paid guest scientist at the AIP.

It is expected that the prize-winning guest will enrich the scientific life of the institute through a series of talks or lectures on his area of epertise.