Papers of Reuven Ramaty, astrophysicist, pioneer in high energy astrophysics, and a leading theorist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for over 30 years. The collection documents his years at Goddard Space Flight Center first as post-doctoral research associate, then as astrophysicist, and finally as head of the theory office of the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics. Ramaty is best known for his study of the high-energy nuclear reactions in solar flares and the use of gamma-ray line and neutron measurements to determine the properties of flare-accelerated particles. Materials in the collection date from 1963-1999. The collection is rich in Ramaty's research and writings and comprises research materials, manuscripts, drafts, and final versions, notes, and correspondence. Writings include most of his significant publications in refereed journals and books. The collection also documents his conference presentations and invited talks. Also included are materials related to Ramaty's involvement in NASA-funded theory initiatives, space science missions, his work on different committees, working groups, and as an organizer of several major space science conferences. The collection is arranged in six series: 1) WRITINGS, 2) CONFERENCES, 3) COMMITTEES, 4) SUBJECT FILES, 5) CORRESPONDENCE, and 6) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS.

Reuven Ramaty was born on February 25, 1937, in Timisoara, a Hungarian enclave in Romania. He grew up during the uproar of World War II in a multicultural environment and immigrated to Israel at age 11. He loved languages and became fluent in Hebrew, English, and French in addition to his native Romanian and Hungarian. He also studied German, Italian and Japanese. Ramaty graduated from Tel Aviv University in 1961 with B.S. in physics. He earned his Ph.D. in planetary space physics from UCLA in 1966 in a record time of two years. Ramaty joined Goddard Space Flight Center in 1967, first as a post-doctoral research associate, and then as a government-employed astrophysicist at the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics. From 1980 to 1993, he served as the head of the theory office at the laboratory.

17.80 linear feet (44 archives boxes and 7 oversize folders)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Letters of recommendation located in box 44, folders 3 and 7 are restricted until 2049.