Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Lutz, Thomas E.
Cage 846
Thomas E. Lutz papers
1963-1994
6.25 linear feet of shelf space
13 containers and 1 oversize folder
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.
Collection materials are in English.
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.
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.
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.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions may
apply.
[Item description]. Thomas E. Lutz Papers, 1963-1994. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special
Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
The Thomas E. Lutz Papers were donated to Washington State University by Julie Lutz, Department of Mathematics, Neill Hall in 1996 (MS 1996-25).
This collection was processed by Megan Bridge and Steven Bingo in 2016.
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.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Thomas E. Lutz -- Archives.
Astrophysical Research Consortium.
Astronomy -- History -- Sources.
Washington State University -- Faculty -- Archives.
Science
Washington (State)
Series 1
Research and lectures
1963-1992
Subseries 1
General research
1963-1992
1 1-2 Astro Data Analysis Software and Systems- Tucson 1991-1992
1 3 Brosmer/National Science Foundation Proposal Declined 1990-1991
1 4 CA II with Art Young 1970-1976
1 5 City of Aberdeen consulting 1984
1 6 City of Aberdeen consulting - Church Shoemaker 1978-1980
1 7 City of Aberdeen consulting - City Ball Field undated
1 8 City of Aberdeen consulting - Sighting Moon 1984
1 9 Distance Scale Workshop - Aspen 1992-1993
1 10 Dominion OBS- Victoria undated
1 11 Harlow Shapley Lecture Garden City Kansas 1990-1992
1 12 Harlow Shapley Lecture- Gardner Webb College-Boiling Springs, North Carolina 1993
1 13 Harlow Shapley Lecture Washington College 1991-1992
2 14 International Astronomical Union 1972-1979
2 15 International Astronomical Union Colloquium 139 Stellar Pulsation July 1992
2 16 Job Correspondence Illinois 1962-1970
2 17 Malmquist Effect Notes 1977
2 18 Manastash Ridge Observatory 1970-1980
2 19 National Aeronautics and Space Administration- Local Sidereal Time 1972-1976
2 20 National Aeronautics and Space Administration University of Washington Space grant 1990-1992
2 21 New Mexico State University 1972
2 22 Observations at University of Illinois 1963-1973
2 23 Occultations at Jewett 1985-1991
2 24 Optical Astrometry Conference 1993
3 25 Pacific Northwest Astronomers 1975-1986
3 26 Palomar Sky Survey Information 1967-1987
3 27-28 Period Luminosity Relations 1993-1994
3 29 Probit Talk undated
3 30 Random Numbers 1977
3 31 Sabbatical Files 1979-1990
3 32 Sample Space Diagram and Data Sources 1985
3 33-34 Solar Eclipse 1979 1974-1979
4 35 Statistics Challenges Mod Astronomy Pennsylvania State 1991
4 36 Talk on Calendars undated
4 37 Thesis: Correspondence 1966-1969
4 38 Thesis: H-gamma undated
4 39 Thesis: K-line Recalibration 1968
4 40 Thesis: K-line Tracing Data Reduction 1969-1970
4 41-42 Thesis: Kitt Peak Data 1967-1976
5 43 Thesis: Kitt Peak Standard Deviation's for Line Ratio 1967
5 44 Thesis: Microphotometry 1969
5 45 Thesis: Tables ETC 1969
5 46 Trigonometric Parallaxes 1981-1990
5 47 Unfunded Proposals 1981-1990
5 48 United States Naval OBS Catalogs 1971-1972
5 49 Untitled negatives undated
5 50 Washington State University Funding 1964-1976
Subseries 2
Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC)
1975-1992
5 51 Astrometry Instrument 1983
5 52 Astrophysical Research Consortium Agreement and Amendments 1984-1985
5 53-54 Astrophysical Research Consortium Board 1984-1991
5 55 Astrophysical Research Consortium Board 1988-1992
6 56 Astrophysical Research Consortium Digital Sky Survey 1991-1992
6 57 Astrophysical Research Consortium Outside Consultants (Informal) 1984
6 58 Astrophysical Research Consortium Vaxmail 1983-1987
6 59 Budget National Science Foundation Proposal 1983-1985
6 60 By-Laws (Drafts) 1983-1990
6 61 Consortium Agreement 1983-1992
6 62 Correspondence, Kurt Anderson 1983-1991
7 63-64 Correspondence, Donald Baldwin 1983-1992
7 65 Correspondence, Bruce Balick 1983-1988
7 66 Correspondence, Ed Mannery 1985-1988
7 67 Correspondence, Bruce Margon 1985-1990
7 68 Correspondence, Walter Siegmund 1983-1988
7 69 Correspondence, Donald York 1983 -1992
7 70 Director's Report 1984-1989
8 71 Fundraising 1983-1991
8 72 Instruments 1983-1990
8 73 Invitation to Bid National Radio Astronomy Observatory Kitt Peak National Observatory 2M 1975-1984
8 74-76 National Science Foundation Proposal 1984-1988
8 77 Nordfors Contract 1985-1987
9 78 Optics 1983-1984
9 79 Parts list and related material 1983
9 80 Review Meetings (Planned) 1984
9 81 Scientific Meetings 1983
9 82 Site Work 1983-1990
9 83 Software 1983
9 84 Structure / Invitation to Bid 1984
9 85 Summaries of Revenues and Expenditures 1985-1990
13 Video Recording of Telescope set up circa 1992
9 86 Washington State University President Board of Governors 1989-1990
Series 2
Correspondence
1967-1994
OS General correspondence 1986-1988
9 87 Correspondence A-C 1967-1987
9 88 Bill van Altena 1975-1991
10 89 Glen Amdahl 1975
10 90 Victor Barton 1983-1986
10 91 Bushaw Retirement 1993-1994
10 92 Robb Currah 1988
10 93 Correspondence D-G 1967-1994
10 94 Jach Day 1990-1993
10 95 Brian Diertus 1982-1983
10 96 George Gatewood 1981-1985
10 97 Wilhelm Gliese 1979-1986
10 98 Correspondence H-L 1968-1994
10 99 Robert Hanson 1979-1986
10 100 Robert Harrington 1980-1993
10 101 Phillip Ianna 1978
10 102 Patrick Knupp 1989-1990
10 103 Correspondence M-R 1969-1994
10 104 David McCorhill 1974
10 105 Andrew Murray 1977-1986
10 106 Stephan Murray 1982-1986
11 107 Bernard Pagel 1974-1990
11 108 Requests for Information 1970-1993
11 109 Correspondence S-Z 1966-1994
11 110 Mike Seaton 1983-1984
11 111 Jim Thomas 1974-1991
11 112 Art Upgrew 1977-1985
11 113 George Wallerstein 1969-1997
11 114 Jim Wood 1982-1983
11 115 Ken Yoss 1969-1992
Series 3
Education
1978-1994
11 116 Astronomical Society of the Pacific - San Diego, Jack and Vicki 1993
11 117 Astronomical Society of the Pacific - Wisconsin 1991-1992
11 118 Eisenhower National Clearing House June 14, 1994
11 119 Global Observatory for Planetary Health and Ecosystem Resources 1993
11 120 K-12 Washington 1994
12 121 Math Day Buzzers 1991-1992
12 122 Meeting April 1994
12 123 Mini- University 1993
12 124 National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Educational Horizons 1992-1993
12 125 Pacific Science Center 1991-1993
12 126 Lisa Peterson 1993-1994
12 127 Project CLEA 1993-1994
12 128 Science and Mathematics Educational Research Center - WSU Vancouver 1994
12 129 Solar Eclipse Stuff 1991
12 130 Washington Science Teachers Association Workshop, Jack and Vicki November 1993
12 131 Westerhout Communication Register 1979-1980
13 132 What's up? 1978-1980
13 133 Peggy Willcuts March 3, 1994