Menzel, Donald Howard

Born in ( Colorado ), Menzel demonstrated an intellect beyond his years: even before entering kindergarten , he not only knew how to read, but also knew Morse code .

At 16, Menzel entered Colorado University to study chemistry . However, observing the solar eclipse in 1918 forced him to change his mind in favor of studying astronomy. Menzel earned practice at Princeton University and spent the summer holidays at Harvard University as an assistant to Harlow Shapley.

Menzel studied at the University of Denver and received the title of Doctor of Philosophy from Princeton University. After receiving his Ph.D. degree in 1924 , Menzel taught at the University of Iowa and Ohio State University before going to work as an assistant astronomer at the Lick Observatory in California in 1926 . Menzel was one of the first theoretical astrophysicists in the world. He worked at the Lick Observatory until 1932 , when he accepted the offer to work at Harvard University. From 1954 to 1956 he was president of the American Astronomical Community. From 1964 until his death, Menzel was a government adviser for Latin America.

He began teaching at Harvard in 1932 and became a professor by 1938 ; in 1952 he was appointed director of the Harvard Observatory and held office from 1954 to 1966 when the observatory became an international center for radio astronomy . Menzel resigned in 1971 .

Menzel began to study the sun, but later concentrated on the study of nebulae . His work with Lawrence Aller and James Baker identified many fundamental principles in the study of planetary nebulae .

He wrote the Field Guide to Stars and Planets , part of the field directories of Roger Peterson.

In addition to his academic and popular activities in the field of astronomy, Menzel was skeptical about the reality of UFOs. He is the author and co-author of three popular books exposing UFOs: Flying Saucers (1953), The World of Flying Saucers: A Scientific Study of the Main Myth of the Space Age (1963) and The UFO Riddle: The Ultimate Explanation of the UFO Phenomenon (1977) . All Menzel's books on UFOs argue that UFOs are nothing more than a misinterpretation of quite prosaic things, such as stars, clouds, and planes; or as a result of people observing unusual atmospheric phenomena with which they are not familiar. He often suggested that atmospheric haze or temperature inversion distorts the light of stars or planets and makes them visually larger than they really are, creating unusual shapes and making them movable. In 1968, Menzel testified before the committee on science and astronautics at a symposium on the problem of UFOs that he considered all manifestations of UFOs to have a natural explanation.

Richard Greenville wrote, “Most UFO defenders consider him a 'sworn enemy.' In fact, many of his explanations for UFOs were justified and Menzel, of course, had the technical background to evaluate this information. However, he rarely conducted field checks and limited himself to theoretical explanations, which he considered more believable than alien visits. He agreed with the probability of the existence of many technologically advanced civilizations in the galaxy, but not with the fact that they could easily and routinely make interstellar travels to the earth. ” (Greenville, 229)

Criticism

Some observers dispute Menzel's work on UFOs, considering them insufficient. Atmospheric physicist and UFO researcher James MacDonald used the word "Menzeliana" to describe the astronomical approach to UFOs (which MacDonald condemned inadequately and superficially). Sociologist Ron Westrum wrote: " The paradox is that his books on UFOs portray a rather miserable science, contrasting with his more famous works in astrophysics." (Westrum, p. 34) Westrum believes that this anger at Menzelov’s "wretchedness" in the study of UFOs arose "due to the halo effect, Menzelov’s reputation in astronomy reinforces his sloppiness in compiling scientific arguments." (Westrum, p. 35)

Criticism also comes from many scientists associated with the US Air Force: Captain Edward Ruppelt, head of the first UFO study, The Blue Book Project , wrote:

One UFO explanation that received the most publicity was proposed by Donald Menzel, a doctor at Harvard University. Dr. Menzel wrote in Time, Bow, and later in his Flying Saucers, stating that all UFO reports can be explained by various types of light phenomena. We carefully studied this theory, as it looked worthy. She was studied by physicists of the Bear project. The scientific consultants of the Advanced Center for Technical Intelligence studied and discussed it with several leading European physicists, whose specialty was atmospheric physics. In a general commentary received by the Blue Book Project, it says, “Menzel gave a topic for reflection, but his explanations are not a panacea.” ^[3]

Menzel's critics also report that his theories are literally ridiculous. He, from time to time, was a consultant to the Condon Committee (1966-1968), scientifically studying UFOs, under the guidance of physicist Edward Condon at the University of Colorado. Jacques Walle wrote in his diary a story told to him by the astronomer and committee consultant Allen Heineck. One evening, at dinner, Heinek and some of the committee’s permanent members

discussed Menzel’s frequent trips to Boulder . Mary Lou [Armstrong, executive assistant to the committee] laughed so hard at how she spoke about the Menzelov speeches that she fell off her chair and spread out on her restaurant floor. Menzel's UFO explanations were so ridiculous that only decency and respect for the senior colleague kept the team members, including Condon, from open laughter in his face. (Westrum, 35)

Although mostly harsh criticism came from UFO researchers, negative criticism also came from other areas: in 1959, the eminent psychologist Carl Jung announced that Menzel “did not succeed, in spite of all his efforts, in offering satisfactory explanations for at least one genuine UFO reports. ” (Jung, 147) Criticism also came from an internal analysis of the US Air Force, which began:

It is easy to show that the “air lenses” and “strong inversions” postulated by Gordon and Menzel, among others, need a temperature of several hundred Kelvin in order to evoke the mirages attributed to them. ^[four]

For reference: the usual temperature for the southern latitudes is 27 ° C ≈ 300 K, that is, those very necessary “several hundred Kelvin”.

In 1979, the International Astronomical Union named Donald Menzel a crater on the visible side of the moon .

• Kolchinsky I.G., Korsun A.A., Rodriguez M.G. Astronomers: A Biographical Reference. - 2nd ed., Revised. and additional .. - K .: Naukova Dumka, 1986. - 512 p.