As a result, Grote Reber became known as the “father of radio astronomy.” His lasting impact revolutionized the discipline and set the stage for the astronomical research we enjoy today. In 1954, he bought Hawthorn House in Bothwell, then a rural town of about 300 people in the heart of Tasmania. There, for over 30 years he led efforts to develop radio wave detection from space. He strung up a massive antenna with piano wires to pick up faint radio emissions. That creative approach led to the production of the first comprehensive radio map of the southern sky.
Reber’s journey into the realm of radio astronomy began in the late 1930s when he realized the potential of radio waves. He chose Tasmania for its ideal climatic conditions. In particular, he claimed that both Tasmania and the Great Lakes region of North America would be perfect locations due to their thinner ionosphere increasing radio wave reception. He pointed his parabolic radio antenna, the forerunner of today’s large dish antennas. Using this instrument, Reber recorded radio waves at a frequency of 2.085 Megahertz, opening the door for improved future developments in this field.
A Life of Frugality and Innovation
A frugality and resourcefulness guided Grote Reber’s life and choices. He meticulously analyzed all aspects of daily living, from postage costs to apple cores, in an effort to minimize waste. Dr. George, a local who knew Reber well, noted, “He was always very interested in doing things in the most thrifty possible way.” This attitude even permeated his approach to pencils. He made sure to sharpen them from both ends to get the most out of them.
Reber’s lifestyle choices were in line with his conservation values. He cruised around in an electric car called Pixie, a one-seater built on bicycle wheels. He was convinced that keeping a low 40 kilometers per hour speed was best for saving energy. Locals would sometimes laugh about having to follow him on the highway because of how slow he drove, an almost rectory attitude. “Locals would sometimes comment that it was really bad luck if they got stuck behind Grote on that road because they couldn’t pass,” remarked Dr. George.
For all his frugality, Reber had a very generous spirit. On the weekends, he’d take local kids for rides in Pixie, passing on his enthusiasm for creativity and exploration to a new generation. His love for the environment went beyond conserving resources. He was passionate about engaging the community.
Groundbreaking Discoveries in Astronomy
In Tasmania, Reber’s pioneering efforts in radio astronomy came to fruition in major ways. His large antenna array is considered an amazing piece of astronomical history and is viewed as very significant by experts today. “This shed is an amazing piece of astronomical history … it is very, very significant,” Dr. George emphasized when discussing Reber’s contributions.
Reber’s some of his remarkable breakthroughs involved recording radio emissions from space with his new erosive fashion. “To put it simply, the wires picked up the radio emissions from space and basically channeled them into his receiving hut in the middle [of the array],” Dr. George explained. This visionary achievement did much more than enhance the scientific knowledge of its time – it molded the imaginations of new generations of astronomers to come.
Dr. George further reflected on Reber’s lasting impact, stating, “He was the one who started it off [radio astronomy], he really did.” As students study astronomy and look back at the roots of their field, they will undoubtedly recognize Reber’s foundational role. “As these students get older … they will no doubt get to a point where they think, ‘Oh gosh, that Grote Reber guy, he started all this off and wasn’t it wonderful to do that in 1937,’” Dr. George noted.
Honoring a Visionary
Grote Reber’s legacy extends well beyond his pioneering research. He did something pretty remarkable in choosing how to have his ashes honored after his life. As per his wishes, we divided his ashes between several small steel rectangular boxes. We then personally delivered them in person to important places all over the world. These include the world-class radio telescope observatories and major universities that are still pushing the boundaries of astronomical research in the present day.
His dedication to science and community continues to resonate in these memorials and his legacy in radio astronomy lives on. His legacy continues to influence today’s research. It challenges the next generation of space explorers to stretch their imaginations to discover what comes next.
