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Thomas E. Lutz papers, 1963-1994

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Lutz, Thomas E.
Title
Thomas E. Lutz papers
Dates
1963-1994 (inclusive)
Quantity
6.25 linear feet of shelf space, (13 containers and 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
Cage 846 (collection)
Summary
The Thomas E. Lutz Papers consists of the professional papers of Thomas Lutz, a professor of Astronomy at Washington State University. Lutz was noted for his research on trigonometric parallaxes and his contributions to the 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. The collection consists of his research, educational outreach to schools and programs outside beyond Washington State University, and his work with the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) to build the 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

This biographical note is based heavily on the obituary written by the American Astronomical Society that can be found at: https://aas.org/obituaries/thomas-edward-lutz-1940-1995.

Tom Lutz was an internationally recognized astronomer for his research in fundamental calibrations of stellar distances and luminosities who taught astronomy at Washington State University (WSU) from 1969 to 1992. Lutz was born in Tea Neck, New Jersey on November 20, 1940. After graduating in 1962 with a major in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College in New York City, Lutz then went on to the University of Illinois to complete his Masters in Astronomy. During his time at Illinois, he was influenced by Stan Wyatt, Ivan King, George McVittie, and Ken Yoss, his thesis advisor. It was also there that he met his wife, Julie Haynes, also a professor of astronomy at WSU (as Julie Lutz). He then went on to a summer assistant job at Kitt Peak Observatory in 1965 during which time he established his thesis topic to develop an objective method to measure the Ca II K-line emission widths needed to determine stellar absolute magnitudes by the Wilson-Bappu effect. After receiving his Ph. D., Lutz went on to teach at WSU starting in 1969. He became a professor at Washington State University in 1981 and was Director of WSU's Program in Astronomy from 1980 to 1992. In 1973, Lutz collaborated with WSU statistician Douglas Kelker to develop a series of corrections (known as Lutz-Kelker corrections) to compensate for observational errors when observing celestial bodies. Lutz, as co-Principal Investigator, was instrumental in the construction of the ARC (Astrophysical Research Consortium) telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. He died suddenly of cardiac arrhythmia on February 20, 1995, survived by his wife Julie, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

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Content Description

This collection consists of materials documenting Tom Lutz’s career as an astronomer and educator. Much of the collection contains lectures, thesis research and publication, conference notes and summaries, research proposals, professional correspondence, and sabbatical files. A significant portion of the collection is on the construction of the 3.5 meter ARC telescope (Astrophysical Research Consortium) at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]. Thomas E. Lutz Papers, 1963-1994. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The documents in this collection are arranged in three series: Research, Correspondence, and Educational outreach.

Series 1: Research, 1963-1992. This series consists of files containing Lutz's research and his work with the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) to build the 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. This series is divided into two subseries: General Research, and Astrophysical Research Consortium.

Subseries 1: General research, 1963-1992. This subseries contains various files containing data, correspondence, notes, and writings by Lutz. Topics covered include trigonometric parallaxes, luminosities, solar eclipses, the Harlow Shapley Comet, and Lutz's thesis from the University of Illinois. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Subseries 2: Astrophysical Research Consortium, 1975-1992. This subseries contains documents on the formation of the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) and its efforts to build a 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. The subseries contains communications between board members, the organization's by-laws, the proposal to build the telescope, and a videocassette documenting the construction and set up of the telescope. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Series 2: Correspondence, 1967-1994. This series contains Lutz's profession correspondence, mostly during his time at Washington State University. This series is arranged alphabetically by the name of correspondent.

Series 3: Education, 1978-1994. This series consists of documents relating to Lutz's work with organizations promoting education in astronomy to adults and children. These organizations include Washington state organizations and national organizations. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Acquisition Information

The Thomas E. Lutz Papers were donated to Washington State University by Julie Lutz, Department of Mathematics, Neill Hall in 1996 (MS 1996-25).

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Megan Bridge and Steven Bingo in 2016.

Separated Materials

Lutz's departmental files from the Departments of Mathematics, as well as his files with the Division of Sciences at Washington State University were separated and accessioned as UA 2016-07, Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Megan Bridge and Steven Bingo.
2016

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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