Wolf V. Vishniac
| Wolf V. Vishniac | |
|---|---|
| Born |
April 22, 1922 Berlin, Germany |
| Died |
December 10, 1973 (aged 51) Asgard Range, Wright Valley, Antarctica |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | Microbiology Astrobiology |
| Institutions | University of Rochester |
| Spouse | Helen Vishniac |
Wolf Vladimir Vishniac (April 22, 1922 – December 10, 1973) was an American microbiologist, son of Roman Vishniac. Educated at Brooklyn College and Stanford University, he was a professor of biology at the University of Rochester. He died on a research trip to the Antarctic attempting to retrieve equipment in a crevice. The crater Vishniac on Mars is named in his honor.
Wolf Vishniac contributed greatly to the search for life on Mars by developing a special miniature laboratory that could be transported to that planet. This research was supported by a NASA grant started in 1959, the very first ever for the "biological sciences." The Viking 1 Mars probe contained such a device but did not find any conclusive signs of life.
External links
- Short bio entry
- NASA History of Instrumentation for Mars missions
- A Photographer of a Vanished World and his Family
- Every Vishniac
- Vishniac, Wolf Vladimir (1922–1973)