A Guide to the Frank N. Bash Papers
Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator: | Bash, Frank N. | |
| Title: | Frank N. Bash Papers | |
| Dates: | ca. 1969-2004 | |
| Abstract: | Papers document Bash's career at the University of Texas, and include extensive documentation of his work as director of the McDonald Observatory and his involvement in special telescope projects. | |
| Accession No.: | 2011-326 | |
| Extent: | 29 ft. | |
| Language: | Materials are written in English. | |
| Repository: | Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin | |
Biographical Note
Frank N. Bash, Ph.D., served from 1989-2003 as director of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory, one the world's foremost astronomical research institutions located near Fort Davis, Texas.
A native of Medford, Oregon, Bash earned his bachelor's degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon; his master's degree in astronomy from Harvard University; and his doctorate from the University of Virginia. A well-known and widely published specialist in radio astronomy, Bash joined the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin in 1969. He served as Chairman of the UT Department of Astronomy from 1982 through 1986. In 1985, he was named the Frank N. Edmonds Regents Professor of Astronomy. As a researcher, Bash was interested in large-scale star formation processes in spiral galaxies. He won numerous awards for the quality of his teaching, and was named to the teaching excellence Hall of Fame at UT Austin in 1984.
As the director of the McDonald Observatory, Bash led the effort for the design, funding, and construction of the 11-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope, which has the largest primary mirror in the world.
Bash also led the effort to expand the public outreach programs of the McDonald Observatory. These programs included the observatory's Visitors' Center, the Texas Astronomy Education Center, and StarDate radio.
(from the UT Astronomy Department)
Scope and Contents
The Bash Papers reflect his career at the University of Texas at Austin, and include extensive documentation of his work as director of the McDonald Observatory and his involvement in special projects such as the Spectroscopic Survey Telescope (SST) and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). Also included are his personal research files and collected data, teaching files, correspondence, budgetary files, a small component of photographs, and publications/promotional literature related to the McDonald Observatory.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
This collection is stored off site and requires advance notice for retrieval. Please contact repository.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Frank N. Bash Papers, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.
Other Finding Aid
Portions of this collection are described by a PDF checklist provided by the donor. Please contact repository.
Detailed Description of the Papers