Who was Ralph Alpher and what impact did he have on the world of physics?

[robphy]

https://www.physicsforums.com/blog/2007/08/22/ralph-alpher-1921-2007/

 

[marcus]

https://www.physicsforums.com/blog/2007/08/22/ralph-alpher-1921-2007/][/PLAIN]
www.physicsforums.com/blog/2007/08/22/ralph-alpher-1921-2007/

Thanks for posting this.
One of the links in your blog post is to a History Channel program that is supposed to be broadcast in September
http://www.history.com/shows.do?action=detail&episodeId=242353 .
It is listed as 120 minutes, so maybe it comes in parts I and II.
the title is "Beyond the Big Bang"
but I would not expect it to get into a discussion of quantum cosmology and the removal of the cosmological singularity
the brief summary indicates that it is more the human story of how people got the basic ideas about the early universe."The universe began with a massive expansion, billions and billions of years ago, and it continues to expand with every passing second. The idea that the universe, and man's very existence, began with a "Big Bang" is no longer a topic of debate among most scientists--it is essentially taken as fact. How has man come to this conclusion, and how has our knowledge evolved so that we can recreate the very first seconds of our universe and all that has developed since? Interviews with the world's leading physicists and historians are woven together with animated recreations and first-person accounts to explain concepts such as the formation of galaxies, the creation of elements and the formation of Earth itself."Tuesday, September 04 08:00 PM

Wednesday, September 05 12:00 AM

Saturday, September 08 08:00 PM

Sunday, September 09 12:00 AMAlpher's name is unforgettable because of that paper with three co-authors
Alpher, Bethe, and Gamow

Robphy, do you have any knowledge about Alpher you want to share, his special contributions to cosmology or astrophysics, his personal life?

 

[robphy]

I never met Alpher and, unfortunately, don't know much about him. I found out about his passing when I happened to stumble on the Union College physics website. Then, I recalled a classmate from high school who went to college in the Albany area and possibly interacted with him. From a little googling and following links, I wrote the PF blog entry.

I just found this blog entry with comments that is a little more personal
http://scienceblogs.com/principles/2007/08/ralph_asher_alpher_19212007.php