Guillermo Haro Barraza (; 21 March 1913 – 26 April 1988) was a Mexican astronomer. Through his own astronomical research and the formation of new institutions, Haro was influential in the development of modern observational astronomy in Mexico. Internationally, he is best known for his contribution to the discovery of Herbig–Haro objects.
Early life
Haro was born in Mexico City on 21 March 1913 to Ignacio Haro and Leonor Barraza. He studied philosophy and law at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). While working as a reporter for Excélsior, Haro became interested in astronomy after a 1937 interview with Luis Enrique Erro. and later on in stellar aggregates of different ages.
Other major research projects carried out by Haro included the list of 8746 blue stars in the direction of the north galactic pole published jointly with W. J. Luyten in 1961. Work made with the 48-inch Palomar Schmidt using the three-color image technique developed at Tonantzintla. At least 50 of these objects turned out to be quasars (which had not yet been discovered in 1961). Haro's list of 44 blue galaxies, compiled in 1956, was a precursor to the work of Benjamin Markarian and others in searching for such galaxies. Haro also discovered a number of T Tauri stars, one supernova, more than 10 novae, and one comet.
Major accomplishments
Haro was very influential in the development of astronomy in Mexico, not only by virtue of his own astronomical research but also by promoting the development of new institutions. In a more important aspect he defined modern astrophysical research in Mexico where he gave impulse to different initial lines of research and established general scientific policies.
Guillermo Haro discovered a new type of large nebulae with American colleague George Herbig - that were named Herbig-Haro objects.
In 1959, Haro became the first person from Mexico elected to the Royal Astronomical Society.
The Guillermo Haro International Program on Advanced Astrophysical Research at INAOE, which was created in August 1995, was named after him.
On 21 March 2018, 105 years after his birth, Google featured Haro in a Google Doodle.
Personal life
thumb|left|Guillermo Haro's tomb at the Panteón Civil de Dolores.
In 1968, Haro married journalist and writer Elena Poniatowska, with whom he had two children: Felipe and Paula. He was previously divorced from his first wife, Gladys Learn Rojas.
Haro died on 27 April 1988 in Mexico City, and is interred at the Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres of the Panteón Civil de Dolores.
See also
- Guillermo Haro Observatory
References
External links
- Guillermo Haro Observatory In Spanish.
- Guillermo Haro International Astrophysics Program