Adams, Walter

Walter Adams, in full Walter Sydney Adams, (born December 20, 1876, Syria—died May 11, 1956, Pasadena, California, U.S.), American astronomer who is best known for his spectroscopic studies. Using the spectroscope, he investigated sunspots and the rotation of the Sun, the velocities and distances of thousands of stars, and planetary atmospheres.

Born of missionary parents who returned to the United States when he was eight years old, Adams studied astronomy at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire; the University of Chicago; and the University of Munich. In 1904 he became a member of the original staff of Mount Wilson Observatory in California, where he served as director from 1923 to 1946. Adams took an important part in planning the 200-inch (5,080-millimetre) telescope for the Palomar Mountain Observatory.