The identification of thousands of asteroids originated from the methodical analysis of plates produced by the 48-inch Schmidt telescope at Palomar Observatory. Cornelis Johannes van Houten, operating from Leiden University, transformed these photographic records into a foundational dataset for planetary science. His work established the statistical framework for understanding asteroid distribution and orbital characteristics throughout the late twentieth century.
Academic Foundation and Career
Born in The Hague in 1920, Cornelis Johannes van Houten maintained a long-term professional association with Leiden University. He completed his education there, eventually earning a Doktor Nauk in Philosophy. With the exception of a two-year tenure between 1954 and 1956 as a research assistant at the Yerkes Observatory, his entire professional career occurred within the academic environment of Leiden. He held membership in the International Astronomical Union and continued to publish research regarding asteroids and eclipsing binaries until his death in 2002.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Collaborative Asteroid Surveys
Van Houten formed a prolific research trio alongside his wife, Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld, and astronomer Tom Gehrels. The collaborative process relied on the Yerkes-McDonald Survey and the Palomar-Leiden surveys. While Gehrels conducted the sky observations using the Schmidt telescope, the van Houtens performed the complex task of plate analysis at Leiden Observatory. Their work was noted for addressing data bias, providing a more accurate census of asteroid populations than previously existed.
Research Scope and Legacy
Beyond his extensive work on asteroid classification, including the analysis of Apollo, Amor, and Trojan asteroids, he investigated the radial velocities of close binary stars. His scientific contributions provided the basis for classifying objects based on their determined orbits. In recognition of these efforts, the main-belt asteroid 1673 van Houten was named in his honor. He remained professionally active until his death in The Hague.
Fast facts
- Born: 18 February 1920, The Hague
- Died: 24 August 2002, The Hague
- Field: Astronomy
- Education: Leiden University
- Academic Degree: Doktor Nauk in Philosophy
- Key Collaborators: Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld, Tom Gehrels
- Major Surveys: Yerkes-McDonald Survey, Palomar-Leiden survey
- Eponymous Object: 1673 van Houten
Questions readers ask
What was the primary method of his asteroid research?
He analyzed photographic plates obtained by Tom Gehrels using the 48-inch Schmidt telescope at Palomar Observatory.
Did he conduct research outside of Leiden University?
He spent the majority of his career at Leiden, with the exception of a research assistant position at Yerkes Observatory from 1954 to 1956.
Achievements
- Held posts at Leiden University
- Educated at Leiden University
- Fields of research: astronomy
