Born: 1914 (Paramaribo, Surinam)
Died: 2007
Biography:
Elsa van Dien (12 July 1914 – 15 October 2007) was an astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics. Born in Paramaribo, Surinam, on July 12, 1914, she was the daughter of Rebecca da Silva and Gerrit van Dien. In 1923, her family relocated to the Netherlands, where Elsa’s passion for astronomy began to take shape.
Elsa enrolled in the University of Amsterdam in 1932 to study astronomy. Seeking further opportunities, she also registered at the University of Leiden in 1935, providing her access to its esteemed observatory. Her dedication and enthusiasm for the subject were evident, and she quickly established herself as a promising young astronomer.
However, Elsa’s promising academic career was abruptly interrupted by the events of World War II. On November 21, 1940, she was dismissed from her position at the Gemeentelijk Lyceum in Zaandam solely because of her Jewish heritage. As the deportations commenced, Elsa went into hiding with Reverend J.C.S. Locher in Leiden, where she managed to survive the war.
After the war, Elsa’s passion for astronomy was reignited. In September 1945, she received a scholarship from Radcliffe College, intended for September 1939 but delayed due to the war. With additional support from the American Association of University Women, Elsa finally commenced her Ph.D. studies at Harvard University. Under the supervision of renowned astrophysicist Donald Menzel, her thesis explored the Stark effect in the Balmer lines of early type stars.
Upon completing her Ph.D., Elsa briefly worked at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, Canada, before returning to the Netherlands in 1948. In August of the same year, she was appointed at the Bosscha Observatory near Bandung, Indonesia. It was there that she met and married Gale Bruno van Albada, also an astronomer, marking the beginning of a fruitful scientific collaboration.
Elsa’s astronomical research flourished during her time in Indonesia. She made significant contributions to the understanding of various astrophysical phenomena, earning recognition from her peers. However, in 1958, the family returned to the Netherlands, and Elsa’s career took a different trajectory.
From 1965 to 1972, Elsa van Dien served as the editor of the Dutch journal Wetenschap en Samenleving. Her commitment to spreading scientific knowledge and fostering dialogue between science and society became evident during her tenure. Despite facing personal tragedy with the loss of her husband in 1972, Elsa’s dedication to astronomy remained unwavering.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Elsa van Dien resumed her astronomical research with renewed passion. Her work during this period contributed to advancements in the field and further solidified her reputation as a respected astronomer. Elsa’s enduring impact on the scientific community is a testament to her perseverance and unwavering curiosity about the universe.
Elsa van Dien’s contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly in her research on early type stars and her role in disseminating scientific knowledge, have left an indelible mark on the discipline. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring scientists, highlighting the significance of dedication, resilience, and a passion for understanding the cosmos.