The Chemist Who Brought Color to the Cosmos
Written on
Chapter 1: The Evolution of Astronomical Photography
In the past, photography of deep space was limited to shades of black and white. However, a chemist from Australia introduced a groundbreaking technique that allowed color to burst forth from the cosmos.
David Malin, a prominent figure in Australian astronomy, made an accidental yet monumental discovery. In 1976, while working at the new Anglo-Australian Observatory in Siding Spring, he began experimenting with photographic plates from the UK Schmidt Telescope.
“I started to play around with these plates in the darkroom,” he reminisces. While testing a technique he had just developed to enhance the faint light captured from stars, he stumbled upon an anomaly: “I noticed a peculiar structure extending from a galaxy near the Virgo cluster. I had no idea what it was at the time.”
His observations led to his first publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Astronomical Journal, where he became a co-author. Years later, while revisiting the same area with improved resolution, he identified another unusual feature, marking it for further examination.
His collaborators in the United States were astonished by the new discovery, which turned out to be a previously unknown type of galaxy located far beyond the Virgo cluster. This newfound galaxy, dubbed "Malin 1," is considered one of the largest spiral galaxies known, dwarfing our Milky Way by more than three times.
Notably, Malin was not originally trained as an astronomer. He began his career in England as a chemist, where his early fascination with photography ignited during a trip to Paris in his twenties.
“Paris was an eye-opening experience,” he recalls. “I borrowed a camera and started capturing everything I could see.”
After returning home, he learned to develop his own black-and-white film, which sparked his creativity and passion for photography. Encouraged by a supportive colleague, he began capturing microscopic images related to chemical research, gaining recognition for his work.
Despite his success, Malin felt limited in his career due to a lack of formal qualifications. When he spotted an opportunity to manage a photographic laboratory at the newly established Anglo-Australian Observatory, he decided to make the leap to Australia in 1975.
Chapter 2: Innovation in Photography Techniques
The first video titled "Safe Knight Week 2021: Painting the Cosmos with Crystal" illustrates how innovative techniques in photography have transformed our understanding of the cosmos.
Astronomers consistently strive to extract more light from faint celestial bodies. Up until the 1990s, they relied on large glass plates with specialized emulsions. Malin utilized his chemistry background to enhance these plates, increasing their sensitivity significantly.
With his new techniques, he managed to improve the plates' sensitivity to faint light by up to 30 times, drastically reducing exposure times. This breakthrough paved the way for creating color images of distant celestial objects.
Inspired by the early works of James Clerk Maxwell, Malin developed methods that allowed for the extraction of color from astronomical plates. The results were astonishing, revealing vibrant hues previously unseen.
The second video titled "ART OF THE COSMOS by Jim Bell" showcases how Malin's techniques continue to influence modern astrophotography.
Through his pioneering approach, Malin inadvertently uncovered a new class of galaxies known as 'shell galaxies,' further solidifying his legacy in the field. He has even had an asteroid named after him: 4766 Malin.
Despite his unconventional path to becoming an astronomer, David Malin's contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of astronomy. He published over 120 scientific papers and remained active in astrophotography until his retirement, demonstrating the profound impact of his work on our understanding of the universe.
In 2000, Malin received the Lennart Nilsson Award, recognizing his extraordinary achievements in astronomical photography. His legacy continues today through the David Malin Awards and various exhibitions showcasing his remarkable work.
Through his efforts, he has transformed the way we perceive the cosmos, shifting from a monochromatic view to a vibrant tapestry of color that invites exploration and wonder.