Kristian Birkeland: The First Space Scientist , Alv Egeland and William J. Burke , Springer, New York, 2005. $109.00 (221 pp.). ISBN 1-4020-3293-5
In the media the launch of Sputnik I often defines the beginning of the space age and the associated exploration of space beyond Earth. However, the roots of space physics itself go farther back. In Kristian Birkeland: The First Space Scientist, Alv Egeland and William Burke, both well-established space physicists, present the scientific work of the Norwegian physicist.
Birkeland (1867–1917) is a major figure in Norwegian science but is less well known outside Scandinavia. Although his insight and understanding of classical electromagnetic theory were remarkable—he provided one of the first general solutions to Maxwell’s equations—he chose to apply his talents to experimental physics, and his primary interest was auroral research. He obtained significant funding from the Norwegian government for an ambitious observational program. At the time Norway was part of Sweden, and Birkeland, in his grant application, appealed in part to nationalistic feelings by arguing that it was important to show that Norwegian science was at the forefront internationally.
Birkeland was also an entrepreneur. He realized that additional income from applied projects was needed to support his basic research. He formed or participated in numerous enterprises, including the building of an electromagnetic rail gun that he tried to sell to the English and French governments, but it was his method for making fertilizer that brought him financial independence. His business ventures are interesting reading, and I found myself reflecting on the similarities between Birkeland’s approach and how scientists today try to fund space research at universities.
