Daniel M. Popper papers, 1930-1999

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Summary

Creators:
Popper, Daniel M.
Abstract:
Daniel M. Popper joined the new astronomy department at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1947 as its first stellar astronomer. At UCLA, Popper became a full professor in 1955, chaired the department from 1951-1957 and 1959-1963, and retired as professor emeritus and research astronomer in 1978. The collection includes research files, the UCLA Astronomy Department's administrative documents, information on Popper's courses, correspondence, and publications.
Extent:
42.2 linear ft. (41 cartons, 2 document boxes and 1 flat box.)
Language:
and Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Daniel M. Popper papers (Collection 584). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains files related to the career of UCLA astronomy professor Daniel M. Popper. Included in the collection are research files, the Astronomy Department's administrative documents, information on Popper's courses, correspondence, and publications.

Biographical / historical:

Daniel M. Popper was born in Oakland, California on August 17, 1913. He received his B.A. and Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley in 1934 and 1938, respectively. Popper started his academic career in the late 1930s as a fellow at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York. During his early career he was a founding staff member at the MacDonald Observatory, spent time as an instructor at Yerkes Observatory, and took a position during WWII at UC Berkeley's Radiation Laboratory. In 1947, he joined the new astronomy department at the University of California, Los Angeles, as its first stellar astronomer. At UCLA, Popper became a full professor in 1955, chaired the department from 1951-1957 and 1959-1963, and retired as professor emeritus and research astronomer in 1978.

Popper's research centered on main sequence G and K type stars, and involved determining the masses and radii of stars in non-interacting eclipsing binary systems. He was largely responsible for building the UCLA Astronomy Department from a service teaching department to a fully recognized graduate program. He was a member of the American Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and of the International Astronomical Union, initially through Commission 29 (stellar spectra), but with a rapid, permanent transition to Commission 42 (close binary stars) on whose organizing committee he eventually served. In addition to his work at UCLA, he was a guest investigator at the Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories.

Outside of his work in astronomy, Popper was an ardent conservationist who worked to preserve open space in the Santa Monica Mountains. He died on September 9, 1999.

Acquisition information:
Source unknown, 2001.
Processing information:

This collection was initially processed by Meg Gregory and Norm Yee with assistance from Megan Hahn Fraser, 2009. Kelly Besser completed processing, 2013. This collection was minimally processed to facilitate access. Most materials are in their original folders and retain their original folder titles and organization.

Arrangement:

The organization maintains the creator's original order.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the record series. Please contact the UCLA Library, University Archives for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Copyright of portions of this collection is held by The Regents of the University of California. UCLA Library Special Collections can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Daniel M. Popper papers (Collection 584). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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