nPosted on March 21, 2019
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Key Points
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nToday’s famous birthday is known partly for his scientific findings and partly for promoting science in his nation.
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nGuillermo Haro de Barraza, born in Mexico City on this date in 1913, went to university to study philosophy and law, not science. He ended up becoming a reporter, not a professional scientist.
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nBut then his life took an unexpected turn:
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nIn his work as a newspaper reporter, Haro interviewed an astronomer and became interested in astronomy…
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Interested enough that he was hired as an assistant at an observatory in the Mexican state of Puebla…and then trained at four U.S. observatories (including Harvard College Observatory), and then did original astronomical research.
Interested enough that he was hired as an assistant at an observatory in the Mexican state of Puebla…and then trained at four U.S. observatories (including Harvard College Observatory), and then did original astronomical research.n
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| Haro 11 |
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nHe discovered loads of planetary nebulae, T Tauri stars, flare stars, novae. He discovered one supernova and one comet. His name has been given to a galaxy: Galaxy Haro 11. And his name, along with the name of his co-discoverer, has been given to a new type of large planetary nebula: Herbig-Haro objects.
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| Check out this animation of a Herbig-Haro object. |
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Haro became the youngest person to become a member of a Mexican honor society, and he became the first person elected to the Royal Astronomical Society from Mexico.
Haro became the youngest person to become a member of a Mexican honor society, and he became the first person elected to the Royal Astronomical Society from Mexico.
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| This is an artist’s drawing of a young T Tauri star. |
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nWith Haro’s enthusiasm for and accomplishments in astronomy, he was able to foster the development of that science in Mexico. He founded the Mexican Academy of Sciences, and became its first president, and he also founded Mexico’s National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics.
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nAll I can say is, hooray for unexpected turns!
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nAlso on this date:
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nFirst non-stop trip around the world – in a hot air balloon
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nMemory Day
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nMexican President Benito Juarez’s birthday
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nInternational Day for the Elimination of Racism
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Human Rights Day in South Africa
Human Rights Day in South Africa n
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nAnniversary of the Pass Laws Protest
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nNational Tree Planting Day in Lesotho
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nIndependence Day in Namibia
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Plan ahead:
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nCheck out my Pinterest boards for:
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nMarch holidays
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nHistorical anniversaries in March
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nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:
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nApril holidays
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nApril birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in April
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