Alan Hunter

Alan Hunter CBE (9 September 1912 – 11 December 1995) was an English astronomer who spent his career at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, serving as Director between 1973 and 1975.

Early life

Alan Hunter was born in East Ham, then in Essex but now part of the London Borough of Newham, on 9 September 1912. He attended East Ham Grammar School, then studied physics at Imperial College London from where he graduated with a BSc degree. He remained at the college as a research student studying spectroscopy, leading to the award of a PhD degree. Hunter served as head of the observatory's Department of Astrometry and Astrophysics from 1937 to 1956. In 1937 he married Joan Portnell. He worked on measuring the distances of stars using photography with the Greenwich 26-inch diameter refracting telescope. He also measured temperatures of stars using a 36-inch diameter reflecting telescope.

On returning to the Royal Observatory in 1946, he worked on measuring positions of minor planets and comets. He attempted to travel to observe a total solar eclipse in Brazil in 1947, but an aircraft he was travelling in crashed in Senegal. Hunter was injured but survived; some other passengers were killed.

Work at the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Herstmonceux As part of the observatory's relocation from London to the clearer and darker skies of Sussex, Hunter moved in 1956 to the Royal Greenwich Observatory's new site at Herstmonceux Castle. His department was split into two by the new Astronomer Royal, Sir Richard Woolley, with Hunter becoming head of the Department of Astrometry.

Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory Margaret Burbidge resigned from the observatory in 1973, and Alan Hunter was appointed her successor as Director. This put him in charge of the institution as the latest in a series of eleven astronomers royal and two directors over nearly 300 years. He served in this position until his retirement in 1975, a period that included the observatory's 300th anniversary celebrations.

Retirement Alan Hunter and his wife retired to Norfolk. He died there on 11 December 1995.

Honours and awards Vice-president, Royal Astronomical Society (1956–1957, 1965–1966, 1976–1977). President, British Astronomical Association (1956–1958). Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (1975).