Stars, spheres and spectra

Solution and notes

Arthur Eddington and Hans Bethe made major contributions to our understanding of nuclear reactions in stars. Spectroscopy is one of astronomy’s key techniques, and Balmer and Bunsen’s work on line spectra laid the foundation for Bohr’s theories of electron energy levels. Gauss developed ideas about spherical geometry — an essential part of astronomy

Stars (9 down), Eddington (22 Across), Bethe (5 down)

Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington (1882–1944), English astronomer and physicist, was born in the town of Kendal in the Lake District. His father died 2 years later and the family moved to Somerset where he was brought up a Quaker. He was an infant prodig y, and was later educated at Manchester and Cambridge. Maths was his subject — he came first in his year group at Cambridge in 1904. By 1913 he was professor of astronomy at his old university.