The scientific achievements of Klaus Wilhelm
Abstract
We summarise and illustrate the scientific achievements of Klaus Wilhelm, starting with his diploma thesis. We also touch on his science-policy work, which he did, first, as a staff member of ESRO and, later on, as a representative of the scientific community in ESA's Solar System Working Group. We then turn to Klaus Wilhelm's influence and impact as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the SUMER (Solar Ultraviolet Measurement of Emitted Radiation) experiment on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, SOHO. As a distinguished collaborator of the PI in an earlier groundbreaking space experiment, namely the Halley Multicolour Camera (HMC) on ESA's Giotto probe, he was predestined to become a leading figure in the SOHO Science Working Team (SWT). The organisation of his experiment team was impeccable and he always focused his mind on the scientific and technical aims of SUMER. Personal or political issues never distracted him. Klaus Wilhelm was instrumental in achieving a reliable radiometric calibration that was traceable to a primary radiative laboratory standard. SUMER was the UV experiment on SOHO with the best, most comprehensive laboratory calibration and, thanks to integrity of design and a careful choice of materials, SUMER had a remarkably stable responsivity in orbit. Thus, Klaus Wilhelm as SUMER PI, had a decisive influence on two of the most important improvements in vacuum-ultraviolet solar spectroscopy that came with SOHO: cleanliness - in particular, with respect to condensable matter - and radiometric accuracy. Klaus Wilhelm is a scientist with sound principles. His enthusiasm, his pleasant personality, his urge to rapidly and thoroughly resolve problems when they arise and his continuous search for knowledge have led to the success of SOHO's SUMER experiment, and of this career as a scientist.
- Publication:
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From Solar Min to Max: Half a Solar Cycle with SOHO
- Pub Date:
- June 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002ESASP.508..543H