Astronomer’s name lives on at university
Taranaki-raised astronomer Beatrice Tinsley, who opened the ‘‘doors to the future study of the evolutions of stars, galaxies and even the universe itself’’ in her short life, will continue to inspire budding scientists at her old university.
The official opening of the Beatrice Tinsley building this week marked the completion of the Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RRSIC) at the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch.
The new home of UC College of Science staff and postgraduate students, the Beatrice Tinsley building was opened by the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, Dr Megan Woods, in front of
130 guests, including members of Tinsley’s family, some of whom had travelled from the United States to be there.
Beatrice Tinsley, who died of cancer in
1981, aged 40, is remembered as one of the most creative and significant theoreticians in modern astronomy.
Woods, who also attended the University of Canterbury, said she admired Tinsley’s ‘‘curious questioning and innovative ways of viewing the world’’ and announced a $6 million funding boost to increase diversity in science.
‘‘We want more young women to be inspired by women,’’ she said.
Beatrice was one of three daughters born to Jean and Edward Hill, who emigrated from Chester, northwest England, to New Zealand after the war and settled in New Plymouth.
Edward Hill was vicar at St Mary’s church and the mayor of New Plymouth from 1953-1956, and the family lived in Peace Ave.
Beatrice attended Central Primary, where she was dux in her final year, before moving to New Plymouth Girls’ High School, where she also excelled.
At 16 she won a junior scholarship to Canterbury University to study mathematics, chemistry and physics. It was here she met and later married fellow student Brian Tinsley.
Beatrice Tinsley graduated from UC with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 and in 1963 achieved a Master of Science in Physics with First Class Honours before going on to complete a doctorate at the University of Texas within two years.
She later took up a professorial role at Yale University, becoming its first female professor of astronomy.
Beatrice Tinsley published over 100 scientific papers in her 14-year academic career and had a profound influence on the study of the universe.
The Beatrice Tinsley building includes state-of-the-art secondary and primary science and technology laboratory facilities where students of the College of Education, Health and Human Development will learn to teach those subjects to future generations.