Bart Bok Biography

Bart Bok was an influential Dutch astronomer, who is best known for his work with his wife in popularizing the field of astronomy. Born in Hoorn in 1906, Bart an early interest in the field of astronomy, beginning when he was a boy scout. Bok studied at the University of Leiden, and in 1932 received his PhD from the university of Groningen.

The greatest of Bok's achievements began in 1928, when he attended a meeting of the International Astronomical Union. While there, two things happened that would dictate the course of his life. First, Bart met his future wife, Priscilla Fairfield, to whom he proposed almost immediately and married the next year. The second was an invitation to work at Harvard University, where he stayed until 1957. This invitation came from fellow astronomer Harlow Sharply, who was himself notable for his work determining the location of our planet within the Milky Way.

While working at Harvard, Bok performed notable work in mapping the shape of the galaxy. Bok's work in this field was essential in determining the shape of the galaxy's spiral arms; specifically, he refuted the notion that the spiral arms were elliptical, showing instead that they were spherical. It was based on this work that he released his most famed accomplishment, the book The Milky Way. Co-authored with his wife Priscilla, this book was written for and meant to be read by the general public rather than specialized astronomers, and was a great influence in popularizing the field of astronomy. As time went on it received many revisions to accommodate new information about the galaxy.

Additionally, Bok's work has developed our understanding of Star formation. In the 1940's he made the first observations of what are now known as Bok Globules. These 'Bok Globules' are essentially small, discernable clouds placed in front of brighter stars or gasses, and are thought to be the preeminence of early forming stars.

The personal life of both Bart and Priscilla Bok was dedicated largely to astronomy. Bart would frequently lead trips to astronomical events around the globe; for example, to view eclipses. After the death of his wife Priscilla, however, Bart's work slowed until he died of a heart attack in 1983. Both Bart and his wife were honored posthumously by having an asteroid named after them, 1983 Bok.