Dr. Giacconi’s work in X-ray astronomy, using rockets as transportation for his X-ray detectors, revealed several cosmic X-ray sources, from neutron stars and stellar black holes, to quasars. During the presentation of the Nobel Prize, Professor Per Carlson stated that, “Giacconi's achievements in X-ray astronomy have dramatically changed our view of the universe.”

It all began in 1959, when Giacconi, then a professor of particle physics at Princeton University, joined the American Science and Engineering Corporation. He moved on to Harvard University in 1973 and became Associate Director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics High Energy Astrophysics Division. Telescopes then became Giacconi’s focus in his endeavors in X-ray research. He served as the first Director of the Space Telescope Institute from 1981-1992 and then Director General of the European Southern Observatory until 1999. It was here that he developed and built the VLT telescope, implementing new methods of lense engineering to create the giant telescope.

Dr. Giaconni has held chairs at Harvard University, Milano University, and Johns Hopkins University. In the last few years Dr. Giacconi has participated in several high-level committees, advisory bodies, and workshops concerned with U.S. science policy. The issues of how to best carry out first-rate research initiatives while insuring the achievements of the societal benefits that are the potential result of these activities have been among his major concerns. He is currently President of Associated Universities, Inc., and a Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University.

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