Draft:Graham Knipe
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George Frederick Graham Knipe (16 August 1916 – 19 December 1973) was a British-South African amateur astronomer.
Biography
[edit]Knipe was born in England and received his education there, obtaining a B.Sc. in Special Physics from the University of London. He joined Kodak Ltd. and later worked at the firm's branch in Cape Town, South Africa. He then worked for African Explosives and Chemical Industries Ltd. at Modderfontein.
He became an active member of the Witwatersrand Centre of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA). Knipe's astronomical work was done with limited equipment, showcasing his resourcefulness. His early observations were made through a window in Johannesburg.[1]
In May 1958, Knipe joined the staff of the Republic Observatory. His appointment was largely due to his unsolicited testimonials. At the Republic Observatory, he initially focused on micrometer measurements of visual double stars. He published over 600 measures of double stars between 1960 and 1962, contributing to the study of neglected double stars in the southern hemisphere.[1]
Knipe later transitioned to photoelectric photometry and instrumentation. He used a photometer fitted to a 9-inch refractor to observe close binary stars. This led to a collaboration with the Radcliffe Observatory in Pretoria, allowing simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations.[1]
Knipe was a proponent for a larger reflector telescope for photometry of eclipsing binaries. In 1968, a 20-inch Boller and Chivens reflector was installed, which he used in Johannesburg until 1972 before it was moved to Sutherland. He became a member of Commission 42 of the IAU (Photometric Double Stars) in 1967.[1]
In 1993, an observatory was named after Graham Knipe in Pretoria.[2]
Knipe's younger brother died from cancer in 2005.
Legacy
[edit]An observatory was named after him in Pretoria in 1993, recognizing his contributions to astronomy.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
obitwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "News Notes: Naming of the Graham Knipe Observatory".
- ^ "News Notes: Naming of the Graham Knipe Observatory".
External links
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Early Life and Education
[edit]Knipe was born in England and received his education at the University of London, earning a B.Sc. in Special Physics. He initially worked for Kodak Ltd. in England and Cape Town before transitioning into spectroscopic work with African Explosives and Chemical Industries Ltd. at Modderfontein.
Career
[edit]In 1953, while living in Johannesburg, Knipe joined the Witwatersrand Centre of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, quickly becoming an active member. Despite limited equipment, he conducted early observations from his flat in Hillbrow and later became involved in satellite observations during the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958).
He joined the Union Observatory (later renamed the Republic Observatory) in May 1958, following an unsolicited recommendation from the United States. There, he focused primarily on micrometer measures of visual double stars. Over 6,000 measures and 11 orbital calculations between 1960 and 1969 highlight his contributions to the neglected field of double star astronomy in the southern hemisphere.
Knipe was especially interested in photoelectric photometry. He helped fit a photometer to the 9-inch refractor telescope at the Republic Observatory and began observing close binary stars. His collaboration with the Radcliffe Observatory led to coordinated observations from both Johannesburg and Pretoria.
In 1968, he initiated the installation of a 20-inch Boller and Chivens reflector, transferred to Sutherland in 1972. He was the first to make formal proposals for improved instrumentation in South African observatories.
Knipe was a member of Commission 42 of the International Astronomical Union (Photometric Double Stars) from 1967. He also served as the southern hemisphere correspondent for the IAU "Bibliography on Eclipsing Binaries."
Legacy
[edit]Despite his professional standing, Knipe retained the spirit of an amateur astronomer, often building his own equipment and assisting others in doing the same. His passion for astronomy and eagerness to mentor young enthusiasts earned him recognition across institutional and grassroots circles alike.
On the 10th anniversary of his death, a conservatory was named in his honor in Pretoria, South Africa, commemorating his contributions to the region's astronomical research community.
Personal Life
[edit]He had a brother, Peter Knipe, who was a solicitor in Buckinghamshire. Peter died in 2005 of lung cancer.
References
[edit]- J.H. (1974). "Obituary: George Frederick Graham Knipe". Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, Vol. 33, pp. 2–3. Available via MNASSA
- MNASSA Archive. Various issues, 1960–1973.
External links
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