Albert A. Michelson

Albert Abraham Michelson was born on December 19, 1852, in Strelno, Province of Posen, Kingdom of Prussia (now Strzelno, Poland). He was the son of Samuel Michelson and Rozalia Michelson (née Prziora). His family emigrated to the United States when he was a toddler, eventually settling in San Francisco. Michelson's interest in science became apparent during his adolescence, and he would go on to become a prominent American physicist known for his work on the speed of light.

In 1879, Albert A. Michelson was appointed as an instructor of physics and chemistry at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. During his time at the Academy, Michelson began his studies on the measurement of the speed of light, using improved techniques and instruments, including experiments with rotating mirrors. His work at the Academy laid the groundwork for his future experiments and contributions to the field of optics.

The Michelson-Morley experiment, which took place in May 1887, was conducted by Albert A. Michelson and Edward Morley at what is now Case Western Reserve University. This pivotal experiment aimed to detect the relative motion of Earth through the hypothetical luminiferous ether. The experiment's null result provided crucial evidence against the existence of the ether and was a significant precursor to the development of Einstein's theory of relativity. The innovative use of the Michelson interferometer was critical to the experiment's precision and outcome.

On December 10, 1907, Albert A. Michelson received the Nobel Prize in Physics, becoming the first American to do so. The Nobel Prize was awarded in recognition of his precision optical instruments and the spectroscopic and metrological investigations carried out with their aid. His development of the Michelson interferometer not only advanced scientific knowledge but also became a fundamental tool in experimental physics, influencing countless subsequent discoveries and experiments across different scientific disciplines.

On January 30, 1920, Albert A. Michelson successfully measured the angular diameter of the star Betelgeuse, marking the first time the diameter of a star other than the Sun had been measured. Michelson used the technique of stellar interferometry, an extension of his earlier work with optical interferometers, to make this groundbreaking astronomical observation. This achievement demonstrated the novel application of his interferometric techniques to astronomy, paving the way for further research on the dimensions of distant stars.

Albert A. Michelson passed away on May 9, 1931, in Pasadena, California, at the age of 78. Until his final days, Michelson remained active in research and education, holding positions at various institutions and continuing to contribute to the field of optics. His death marked the end of a distinguished career that fundamentally influenced the direction of physics and experimental science, particularly with his work on the speed of light and his invention of the Michelson interferometer, which remains a critical tool in science today.