Born: 1941
Biography:
Dame Carole Jordan, DBE, FRS, FRAS, FInstP (born 19 July 1941) is a British physicist, astrophysicist, astronomer, and academic. She is widely recognized for her significant contributions to the field of astrophysics and her pioneering efforts as a woman in a male-dominated field. Jordan served as the President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 1994 to 1996, becoming the first woman to hold this esteemed position. Her groundbreaking research and influential leadership have made her a role model for aspiring female scientists.
Carole Jordan was educated at Harrow County Grammar School for Girls, where her passion for physics and astronomy first emerged. She later enrolled at University College London, earning her BSc degree in 1962. Jordan’s remarkable scholarly journey continued as she pursued her PhD under the guidance of C. W. Allen. Her doctoral studies focused on atomic physics and the exploration of the solar extreme ultraviolet spectrum, leading her to publish her first significant paper on coronal research, titled The Relative Abundance of Silicon, Iron, and Nickel in the Solar Corona, in 1965.
Jordan’s scientific contributions are wide-ranging and impactful. Throughout her career, she excelled in the study of ionization balance, density diagnostics, and emission measure analysis. By combining her theoretical calculations with observational data from stars and the Sun, she achieved breakthroughs in our understanding of He-like ions and their applications, such as X-ray lasers. Additionally, her studies on chromospheric activity in cool stars, T Tauri stars, and the Sun provided valuable insights into the complexities of these celestial bodies.
In 1970, during a solar eclipse, Jordan made a notable discovery by identifying previously unknown forbidden lines in the Sun. This finding expanded our knowledge of the solar atmosphere and solidified her reputation as an expert in the field. With the launch of the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite in 1978, she redirected her focus towards the investigation of stellar coronae and chromospheric activity. Leveraging her expertise in solar astrophysics, she made significant contributions to the development of this emerging branch and made key identifications of elements in stellar spectra.
Jordan’s leadership and mentorship have left an indelible mark on the scientific community. Not only has she paved the way for female scientists, but she has also been an instrumental figure in various international collaborations focused on advancing astrophysical instrumentation. Her valuable contributions to the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford during her tenure as its head from 2003 to 2004 and 2005 to 2008 have cemented her legacy as a respected academic and researcher.
In recognition of her immense contributions to physics and astronomy, Carole Jordan was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2006. This prestigious honor acknowledges her outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge. She is a true inspiration to future generations of scientists, particularly women, who aspire to make significant contributions to the field of astrophysics.
Awards:
– Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (2005)