# Karl Guthe Jansky

> American physicist and radio engineer

**Wikidata**: [Q319212](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319212)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Guthe_Jansky)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/karl-guthe-jansky

## Summary
Karl Guthe Jansky was an American physicist and radio engineer who pioneered radio astronomy. He is best known for his 1932 discovery of cosmic radio waves, which laid the foundation for modern radio astronomy and led to the creation of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, a major radio astronomy observatory.

## Biography
- Nationality: United States
- Employer(s): Bell Labs, University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Field(s): Physics, radio-frequency engineering, radio astronomy

## Contributions
- Discovered cosmic radio waves in 1932 while working at Bell Labs, identifying a radio source in the constellation Sagittarius, which was later determined to be the Milky Way galaxy.
- His work in radio astronomy contributed to the development of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, a major radio astronomy observatory.
- The unit of spectral flux density in radio astronomy, the jansky, is named in his honor.

## FAQs
**What was Karl Guthe Jansky's most significant contribution?**
Karl Guthe Jansky's most significant contribution was his 1932 discovery of cosmic radio waves, which marked the beginning of radio astronomy and led to the development of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array.

**Where did Karl Guthe Jansky work?**
Karl Guthe Jansky worked at Bell Labs and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

**What is the jansky unit named after?**
The jansky unit of spectral flux density in radio astronomy is named after Karl Guthe Jansky.

## Why They Matter
Karl Guthe Jansky's discovery of cosmic radio waves revolutionized astronomy, leading to the establishment of radio astronomy as a distinct field. His work paved the way for the development of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, which has since become a cornerstone of radio astronomy research. The jansky unit, named in his honor, remains a fundamental measurement in the field.

## Notable For
- Pioneer of radio astronomy, discovering cosmic radio waves in 1932.
- Founder of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, a major radio astronomy observatory.
- Namesake of the jansky unit in radio astronomy.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Karl Guthe Jansky was an American physicist and radio engineer. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied physics and radio-frequency engineering.

### Career and Discoveries
Jansky worked at Bell Labs, where he made his groundbreaking discovery of cosmic radio waves in 1932. His research identified a radio source in the constellation Sagittarius, which was later determined to be the Milky Way galaxy. This discovery marked the beginning of radio astronomy.

### Legacy and Influence
Jansky's work laid the foundation for modern radio astronomy. The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, a major radio astronomy observatory, was named in his honor. Additionally, the jansky unit of spectral flux density in radio astronomy bears his name.

### Affiliations and Honors
Jansky was affiliated with Bell Labs and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His contributions to radio astronomy have had a lasting impact on the field, influencing generations of scientists and engineers.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Find a Grave
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. SNAC
7. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
8. Proleksis Encyclopedia
9. Croatian Encyclopedia
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. nobelprize.org
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File