Webster, Betty Louise (1941 - 1990)

Summary

Louise Webster was an astronomer who was recognised as having made significant research contributions in he fields of planetary nebulae (the subject of her PhD) and X-ray binaries. With her colleague Paul Murdin, she identified the powerful X-ray source Cygnus X-1 as the first clear candidate for a blackhole. Having completed her PhD at Mt Stromlo, she held several positions overseas. These included: the University of Wisconsin; the Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux Castle, United Kingdom; and the South African Astronomical Observatory. On returning to Australia in 1978 Webster joined the School of Physics at the University of New South Wales where she was instrumental in establishing the University as a key centre for astronomical research, and introduced a fourth-year course in astronomy. Webster took a leading role in the development of the Automated Patrol Telescope, based at Siding Spring Mountain and opened 1989. She was active in the Astronomical Socieyt of Australia and served on its council. The Louise Webster Prize, awarded annually by the Society, recognises outstanding research by a scientist in their early research career, based on the scientific impact of a published paper of which the nominee is the first author.

Details

Chronology

? - 1972

Career position - South African Astronomical Observatory

1963

Career event - Elected Member, Royal Astronomical Society

1967

Education - PhD, Australian National University

1978 - 1990

Career position - Lecturer, School of Physics, University of New South Wales

Related entries

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Storey, J. W. V. and Faulkner, D. J., 'Betty Louise Turtle, 1941 - 1990', Proceedings of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 9 (1) (1991), 6-7. Details