Walter Grotrian
German astronomer and astrophysicist
About Walter Grotrian
Lived 1890 – 1954 (aged 63). Walter Grotrian was a German astronomer, astrophysicist and university teacher.
German physicists and chemists in 1920. Standing, left to right: Walter Grotrian, Wilhelm Westphal, , , Gustav Hertz. Sitting, left to right: Hertha Sponer, Albert Einstein, Ingrid and James Franck, Lise Meitner, Fritz Haber, Otto Hahn.
Walter Robert Wilhelm Grotrian (21 April 1890 in Aachen; † 3 March 1954 in Potsdam) was a German astronomer and astrophysicist.
In 1928 he introduced the Grotrian diagram in atomic spectroscopy, showing the allowed transitions between atomic energy levels
Grotrian studied the emission line from the solar corona in the green region of the spectrum; this emission line could not be attributed to any known chemical element and was thought to be a new element (which scientists named "coronium"). Grotrian and Bengt Edlén from Sweden demonstrated that the two observed emission lines arise from iron atoms that have lost about half their 26 electrons.
Named after Grotrian The impact crater Grotrian on the Moon Character in "Time Keeps on Slippin'" episode of Futurama
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Walter Grotrian?
German astronomer and astrophysicist (1890-1954)
When was Walter Grotrian born?
Walter Grotrian was born on 21 April 1890 in Aachen.
When did Walter Grotrian die?
Walter Grotrian died on 3 March 1954 in Potsdam.
What was Walter Grotrian's occupation?
Walter Grotrian was an astronomer, astrophysicist and university teacher.
What nationality was Walter Grotrian?
Walter Grotrian was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Walter Grotrian. https://biography.guide/walter-grotrian/
MLA: "Walter Grotrian." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/walter-grotrian/.
Chicago: "Walter Grotrian." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/walter-grotrian/.
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