Person

Alexander, Elizabeth (1908 - 1959)

Born
13 December 1908
Merton, Surrey, England
Died
1959
Occupation
Geologist and Radio astronomer

Summary

Elizabeth Alexander was a geologist and radio astronomer who worked in radar in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II.

She identified the 'Norfolk Island Effect', the phenomenon of a great increase in signal noise just before dawn.

Details

Chronology

1931
Education - B. Sc. in Geology from Newnham College, Cambridge, with first class honours
1934
Education - Ph.D. in Geology from Newnham College, Cambridge
1942
Life event - Emigrated to New Zealand with children to avoid conflict in Malaya
1942 - 1945
Career position - Head of the Operations Research Section of the Radio Development Laboratory, Wellington Operations Research Section of the Radio Development Laboratory

Published resources

Book Sections

  • Orchiston, W., 'Dr Elizabeth Alexander: first female radio astronomer' in The new astronomy: opening the electromagnetic window and expanding our view of planet earth. A meeting to honor Woody Sullivan on his 60th birthday, Orchiston, W., ed. (Dordrecht: Springer, 2005), pp. 71-92. Details

Resources

Rebecca Rigby

EOAS ID: biogs/P004909b.htm

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