About Philip Burton Moon
Lived 1907 – 1994 (aged 87). Philip Burton Moon was a British physicist and university teacher, known for Gamma Ray, Manhattan Project and Tube Alloys.
Philip Burton Moon FRS
Career at Birmingham University After the war he was made Poynting Professor of Physics at Birmingham in 1946, succeeding Oliphant but receiving the appointment only after the first choice (Cecil Powell) had been rejected at the last minute for being a communist. He held the position until 1973.
In 1950 Moon was the first person to detect gamma ray fluorescence; however his results were not considered statistically significant enough and it would be several years before they were proven.
Moon was invited to become the honorary life president of the Poynting Physical Society, at the University of Birmingham, in 1975.
In 1991, Moon was the recipient of the Hughes Medal from the Royal Society.
His papers are held at the University of Birmingham Special Collections.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Philip Burton Moon?
British physicist (1907–1994)
When was Philip Burton Moon born?
Philip Burton Moon was born on 17 May 1907 in Lewisham.
When did Philip Burton Moon die?
Philip Burton Moon died on 9 October 1994 in Worcester.
What was Philip Burton Moon's occupation?
Philip Burton Moon was a physicist and university teacher.
What was Philip Burton Moon known for?
Philip Burton Moon was known for Gamma Ray, Manhattan Project and Tube Alloys.
What nationality was Philip Burton Moon?
Philip Burton Moon was British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Philip Burton Moon
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Philip Burton Moon. https://biography.guide/philip-burton-moon/
MLA: "Philip Burton Moon." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/philip-burton-moon/.
Chicago: "Philip Burton Moon." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/philip-burton-moon/.
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