At What Ages Did Astronomers Write Their Most Important Papers?
Abstract
In 1983 I found that the most productive ages for research astronomers was 40-75 years, contradicting the frequent statement that a scientist’s best work is done before the age of 35. Now most scientists work in small to large teams, unlike the individual research usually done previously. How has that affected the productive careers of astronomers? A new study of 14 recent Russell Lecturers shows a peak in productivity at age 33 and more than half that peak during 25-56 years, in agreement with results in other sciences. Nevertheless, 33% of their best work was done after the age of 50 years.
- Publication:
-
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Pub Date:
- September 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1088/1538-3873/128/967/094501
- Bibcode:
- 2016PASP..128i4501A