Deaths on August 9

James Van Allen

Died on August 9, 2006

James Van Allen, American physicist and academic (b. 1914)

James Alfred Van Allen (September 7, 1914 – August 9, 2006) was an American space scientist at the University of Iowa. He was instrumental in establishing the field of magnetospheric research in space.

The Van Allen radiation belts were named after him, following his discovery using Geiger–Müller tube instruments on the 1958 satellites (Explorer 1, Explorer 3, and Pioneer 3) during the International Geophysical Year. Van Allen led the scientific community in putting scientific research instruments on space satellites.

References

James Van Allen

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Events on 2006

4 Jan

Ariel Sharon
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel suffers a second, apparently more serious stroke. His authority is transferred to acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
21 Mar

Twitter
The social media site Twitter is founded.
11 Apr

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announces Iran's claim to have successfully enriched uranium.
5 Jun

State Union of Serbia and Montenegro
Serbia declares independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
29 Jun

Guantanamo Bay detention camp
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that President George W. Bush's plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violates U.S. and international law.

Deaths on August 9

James Van Allen

Died on August 9, 2006

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 2006

Ariel Sharon

Twitter

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

State Union of Serbia and Montenegro

Guantanamo Bay detention camp