William Hammond Wright

William Hammond Wright, born on November fourth, eighteen seventy-one, in San Francisco, was a prominent American astronomer renowned for his contributions to the field of astrophysics. He graduated from the University of California in eighteen ninety-three and soon after began his illustrious career as an Assistant Astronomer at the Lick Observatory.

From nineteen hundred to nineteen hundred six, Wright played a pivotal role in establishing the Southern station of the observatory at Cerro San Cristobal, near Santiago de Chile. His dedication and expertise allowed him to commence observations from this new site within just six months, where he meticulously recorded a significant series of radial velocity measurements of stars in the southern sky.

Wright's career progressed as he was promoted to Astronomer in nineteen hundred eight. His service to the United States Army from nineteen eighteen to nineteen nineteen at the Aberdeen Proving Ground showcased his versatility, as he worked in the ordnance section. After returning to the Lick Observatory, he continued his groundbreaking work until his retirement.

He is particularly celebrated for his innovative work on the radial velocity of stars and for designing his own version of the spectrograph. His research included obtaining spectra of novas and nebulae, and in nineteen twenty-four, he made significant photographic observations of Mars, concluding that its atmosphere extended approximately sixty miles deep. His accolades include being elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences in nineteen twenty-two and the American Philosophical Society in nineteen thirty-five.

Wright's legacy is further immortalized through the naming of the Martian crater Wright and the minor planet one thousand seven hundred forty-seven Wright in his honor. Additionally, the lunar crater Wright bears his name, reflecting his lasting impact on the field of astronomy.