Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the
Thomas E. Lutz Papers 1963-1994
Cage 846
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- Lutz, Thomas E.
- Title
- Thomas E. Lutz papers
- ID
- Cage 846
- Date [inclusive]
- 1963-1994
- Extent
- 6.25 linear feet of shelf space, 13 containers and 1 oversize folder
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- The Thomas E. Lutz Papers consists of the professional papers of Thomas Lutz, a professor of Astronomy at Washington State University. Lutz was noted for his research on trigonometric parallaxes and his contributions to the 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. The collection consists of his research, educational outreach to schools and programs outside beyond Washington State University, and his work with the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) to build the 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]. Thomas E. Lutz Papers, 1963-1994. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biographical Note
This biographical note is based heavily on the obituary written by the American Astronomical Society that can be found at: https://aas.org/obituaries/thomas-edward-lutz-1940-1995.
Tom Lutz was an internationally recognized astronomer for his research in fundamental calibrations of stellar distances and luminosities who taught astronomy at Washington State University (WSU) from 1969 to 1992. Lutz was born in Tea Neck, New Jersey on November 20, 1940. After graduating in 1962 with a major in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College in New York City, Lutz then went on to the University of Illinois to complete his Masters in Astronomy. During his time at Illinois, he was influenced by Stan Wyatt, Ivan King, George McVittie, and Ken Yoss, his thesis advisor. It was also there that he met his wife, Julie Haynes, also a professor of astronomy at WSU (as Julie Lutz). He then went on to a summer assistant job at Kitt Peak Observatory in 1965 during which time he established his thesis topic to develop an objective method to measure the Ca II K-line emission widths needed to determine stellar absolute magnitudes by the Wilson-Bappu effect. After receiving his Ph. D., Lutz went on to teach at WSU starting in 1969. He became a professor at Washington State University in 1981 and was Director of WSU's Program in Astronomy from 1980 to 1992. In 1973, Lutz collaborated with WSU statistician Douglas Kelker to develop a series of corrections (known as Lutz-Kelker corrections) to compensate for observational errors when observing celestial bodies. Lutz, as co-Principal Investigator, was instrumental in the construction of the ARC (Astrophysical Research Consortium) telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. He died suddenly of cardiac arrhythmia on February 20, 1995, survived by his wife Julie, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of materials documenting Tom Lutz’s career as an astronomer and educator. Much of the collection contains lectures, thesis research and publication, conference notes and summaries, research proposals, professional correspondence, and sabbatical files. A significant portion of the collection is on the construction of the 3.5 meter ARC telescope (Astrophysical Research Consortium) at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico.
Arrangement
The documents in this collection are arranged in three series: Research, Correspondence, and Educational outreach.
Series 1: Research, 1963-1992. This series consists of files containing Lutz's research and his work with the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) to build the 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. This series is divided into two subseries: General Research, and Astrophysical Research Consortium.
Subseries 1: General research, 1963-1992. This subseries contains various files containing data, correspondence, notes, and writings by Lutz. Topics covered include trigonometric parallaxes, luminosities, solar eclipses, the Harlow Shapley Comet, and Lutz's thesis from the University of Illinois. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.
Subseries 2: Astrophysical Research Consortium, 1975-1992. This subseries contains documents on the formation of the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) and its efforts to build a 3.5 meter telescope at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. The subseries contains communications between board members, the organization's by-laws, the proposal to build the telescope, and a videocassette documenting the construction and set up of the telescope. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.
Series 2: Correspondence, 1967-1994. This series contains Lutz's profession correspondence, mostly during his time at Washington State University. This series is arranged alphabetically by the name of correspondent.
Series 3: Education, 1978-1994. This series consists of documents relating to Lutz's work with organizations promoting education in astronomy to adults and children. These organizations include Washington state organizations and national organizations. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2016
http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Acquisition Information
The Thomas E. Lutz Papers were donated to Washington State University by Julie Lutz, Department of Mathematics, Neill Hall in 1996 (MS 1996-25).
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Megan Bridge and Steven Bingo in 2016.
Related Materials
Separated Material
Lutz's departmental files from the Departments of Mathematics, as well as his files with the Division of Sciences at Washington State University were separated and accessioned as UA 2016-07, Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy.
Names and Subjects
Corporate Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- Astrophysical Research Consortium.
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- Thomas E. Lutz -- Archives.
Subject(s)
- Astronomy -- History -- Sources.
- Washington State University -- Faculty -- Archives.
- Science
- Washington (State)
Detailed Description of Collection
Series 1 Research and lectures 1963-1992 |
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Subseries 1 General research 1963-1992 |
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| box | folder | |||
|
Astro Data Analysis Software and Systems- Tucson 1991-1992 |
1 | 1-2 | ||
|
Brosmer/National Science Foundation Proposal Declined 1990-1991 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
CA II with Art Young 1970-1976 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
City of Aberdeen consulting 1984 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
City of Aberdeen consulting - Church Shoemaker 1978-1980 |
1 | 6 | ||
|
City of Aberdeen consulting - City Ball Field undated |
1 | 7 | ||
|
City of Aberdeen consulting - Sighting Moon 1984 |
1 | 8 | ||
|
Distance Scale Workshop - Aspen 1992-1993 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Dominion OBS- Victoria undated |
1 | 10 | ||
|
Harlow Shapley Lecture Garden City Kansas 1990-1992 |
1 | 11 | ||
|
Harlow Shapley Lecture- Gardner Webb College-Boiling Springs, North Carolina 1993 |
1 | 12 | ||
|
Harlow Shapley Lecture Washington College 1991-1992 |
1 | 13 | ||
|
International Astronomical Union 1972-1979 |
2 | 14 | ||
|
International Astronomical Union Colloquium 139 Stellar Pulsation July 1992 |
2 | 15 | ||
|
Job Correspondence Illinois 1962-1970 |
2 | 16 | ||
|
Malmquist Effect Notes 1977 |
2 | 17 | ||
|
Manastash Ridge Observatory 1970-1980 |
2 | 18 | ||
|
National Aeronautics and Space Administration- Local Sidereal Time 1972-1976 |
2 | 19 | ||
|
National Aeronautics and Space Administration University of Washington Space grant 1990-1992 |
2 | 20 | ||
|
New Mexico State University 1972 |
2 | 21 | ||
|
Observations at University of Illinois 1963-1973 |
2 | 22 | ||
|
Occultations at Jewett 1985-1991 |
2 | 23 | ||
|
Optical Astrometry Conference 1993 |
2 | 24 | ||
|
Pacific Northwest Astronomers 1975-1986 |
3 | 25 | ||
|
Palomar Sky Survey Information 1967-1987 |
3 | 26 | ||
|
Period Luminosity Relations 1993-1994 |
3 | 27-28 | ||
|
Probit Talk undated |
3 | 29 | ||
|
Random Numbers 1977 |
3 | 30 | ||
|
Sabbatical Files 1979-1990 |
3 | 31 | ||
|
Sample Space Diagram and Data Sources 1985 |
3 | 32 | ||
|
Solar Eclipse 1979 1974-1979 |
3 | 33-34 | ||
|
Statistics Challenges Mod Astronomy Pennsylvania State 1991 |
4 | 35 | ||
|
Talk on Calendars undated |
4 | 36 | ||
|
Thesis: Correspondence 1966-1969 |
4 | 37 | ||
|
Thesis: H-gamma undated |
4 | 38 | ||
|
Thesis: K-line Recalibration 1968 |
4 | 39 | ||
|
Thesis: K-line Tracing Data Reduction 1969-1970 |
4 | 40 | ||
|
Thesis: Kitt Peak Data 1967-1976 |
4 | 41-42 | ||
|
Thesis: Kitt Peak Standard Deviation's for Line Ratio 1967 |
5 | 43 | ||
|
Thesis: Microphotometry 1969 |
5 | 44 | ||
|
Thesis: Tables ETC 1969 |
5 | 45 | ||
|
Trigonometric Parallaxes 1981-1990 |
5 | 46 | ||
|
Unfunded Proposals 1981-1990 |
5 | 47 | ||
|
United States Naval OBS Catalogs 1971-1972 |
5 | 48 | ||
|
Untitled negatives undated |
5 | 49 | ||
|
Washington State University Funding 1964-1976 |
5 | 50 | ||
Subseries 2 Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC) 1975-1992 |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Astrometry Instrument 1983 |
5 | 51 | ||
|
Astrophysical Research Consortium Agreement and Amendments 1984-1985 |
5 | 52 | ||
|
Astrophysical Research Consortium Board 1984-1991 |
5 | 53-54 | ||
|
Astrophysical Research Consortium Board 1988-1992 |
5 | 55 | ||
|
Astrophysical Research Consortium Digital Sky Survey 1991-1992 |
6 | 56 | ||
|
Astrophysical Research Consortium Outside Consultants (Informal) 1984 |
6 | 57 | ||
|
Astrophysical Research Consortium Vaxmail 1983-1987 |
6 | 58 | ||
|
Budget National Science Foundation Proposal 1983-1985 |
6 | 59 | ||
|
By-Laws (Drafts) 1983-1990 |
6 | 60 | ||
|
Consortium Agreement 1983-1992 |
6 | 61 | ||
|
Correspondence, Kurt Anderson 1983-1991 |
6 | 62 | ||
|
Correspondence, Donald Baldwin 1983-1992 |
7 | 63-64 | ||
|
Correspondence, Bruce Balick 1983-1988 |
7 | 65 | ||
|
Correspondence, Ed Mannery 1985-1988 |
7 | 66 | ||
|
Correspondence, Bruce Margon 1985-1990 |
7 | 67 | ||
|
Correspondence, Walter Siegmund 1983-1988 |
7 | 68 | ||
|
Correspondence, Donald York 1983 -1992 |
7 | 69 | ||
|
Director's Report 1984-1989 |
7 | 70 | ||
|
Fundraising 1983-1991 |
8 | 71 | ||
|
Instruments 1983-1990 |
8 | 72 | ||
|
Invitation to Bid National Radio Astronomy Observatory Kitt Peak National Observatory 2M 1975-1984 |
8 | 73 | ||
|
National Science Foundation Proposal 1984-1988 |
8 | 74-76 | ||
|
Nordfors Contract 1985-1987 |
8 | 77 | ||
|
Optics 1983-1984 |
9 | 78 | ||
|
Parts list and related material 1983 |
9 | 79 | ||
|
Review Meetings (Planned) 1984 |
9 | 80 | ||
|
Scientific Meetings 1983 |
9 | 81 | ||
|
Site Work 1983-1990 |
9 | 82 | ||
|
Software 1983 |
9 | 83 | ||
|
Structure / Invitation to Bid 1984 |
9 | 84 | ||
|
Summaries of Revenues and Expenditures 1985-1990 |
9 | 85 | ||
|
Video Recording of Telescope set up circa 1992 |
13 | |||
|
Washington State University President Board of Governors 1989-1990 |
9 | 86 | ||
|
|
||||
Series 2 Correspondence 1967-1994 |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
General correspondence 1986-1988 |
OS | |||
|
Correspondence A-C 1967-1987 |
9 | 87 | ||
|
Bill van Altena 1975-1991 |
9 | 88 | ||
|
Glen Amdahl 1975 |
10 | 89 | ||
|
Victor Barton 1983-1986 |
10 | 90 | ||
|
Bushaw Retirement 1993-1994 |
10 | 91 | ||
|
Robb Currah 1988 |
10 | 92 | ||
|
Correspondence D-G 1967-1994 |
10 | 93 | ||
|
Jach Day 1990-1993 |
10 | 94 | ||
|
Brian Diertus 1982-1983 |
10 | 95 | ||
|
George Gatewood 1981-1985 |
10 | 96 | ||
|
Wilhelm Gliese 1979-1986 |
10 | 97 | ||
|
Correspondence H-L 1968-1994 |
10 | 98 | ||
|
Robert Hanson 1979-1986 |
10 | 99 | ||
|
Robert Harrington 1980-1993 |
10 | 100 | ||
|
Phillip Ianna 1978 |
10 | 101 | ||
|
Patrick Knupp 1989-1990 |
10 | 102 | ||
|
Correspondence M-R 1969-1994 |
10 | 103 | ||
|
David McCorhill 1974 |
10 | 104 | ||
|
Andrew Murray 1977-1986 |
10 | 105 | ||
|
Stephan Murray 1982-1986 |
10 | 106 | ||
|
Bernard Pagel 1974-1990 |
11 | 107 | ||
|
Requests for Information 1970-1993 |
11 | 108 | ||
|
Correspondence S-Z 1966-1994 |
11 | 109 | ||
|
Mike Seaton 1983-1984 |
11 | 110 | ||
|
Jim Thomas 1974-1991 |
11 | 111 | ||
|
Art Upgrew 1977-1985 |
11 | 112 | ||
|
George Wallerstein 1969-1997 |
11 | 113 | ||
|
Jim Wood 1982-1983 |
11 | 114 | ||
|
Ken Yoss 1969-1992 |
11 | 115 | ||
|
|
||||
Series 3 Education 1978-1994 |
||||
| box | folder | |||
|
Astronomical Society of the Pacific - San Diego, Jack and Vicki 1993 |
11 | 116 | ||
|
Astronomical Society of the Pacific - Wisconsin 1991-1992 |
11 | 117 | ||
|
Eisenhower National Clearing House June 14, 1994 |
11 | 118 | ||
|
Global Observatory for Planetary Health and Ecosystem Resources 1993 |
11 | 119 | ||
|
K-12 Washington 1994 |
11 | 120 | ||
|
Math Day Buzzers 1991-1992 |
12 | 121 | ||
|
Meeting April 1994 |
12 | 122 | ||
|
Mini- University 1993 |
12 | 123 | ||
|
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Educational Horizons 1992-1993 |
12 | 124 | ||
|
Pacific Science Center 1991-1993 |
12 | 125 | ||
|
Lisa Peterson 1993-1994 |
12 | 126 | ||
|
Project CLEA 1993-1994 |
12 | 127 | ||
|
Science and Mathematics Educational Research Center - WSU Vancouver 1994 |
12 | 128 | ||
|
Solar Eclipse Stuff 1991 |
12 | 129 | ||
|
Washington Science Teachers Association Workshop, Jack and Vicki November 1993 |
12 | 130 | ||
|
Westerhout Communication Register 1979-1980 |
12 | 131 | ||
|
What's up? 1978-1980 |
13 | 132 | ||
|
Peggy Willcuts March 3, 1994 |
13 | 133 | ||
|
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