Halton Christian "Chip" Arp (March 21, 1927 – December 28, 2013) was an American observational astronomer who published influential work on unusual galaxy forms and who later argued for alternatives to the mainstream cosmological model.
Early life and education
Arp was born in New York City on March 21, 1927. He completed his studies at the California Institute of Technology, where he trained as an astronomer and began his professional career.
Research and catalog
In 1966 Arp compiled the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies, a photographic catalogue that highlights galaxies with uncommon structures. The atlas has been used by researchers studying interactions, mergers, and other processes that produce irregular morphologies.
Views on cosmology
Later in his career Arp became a prominent critic of the Big Bang theory. He promoted the idea that some observed redshifts may be intrinsic to objects rather than entirely due to cosmic expansion, a view that placed him at odds with most cosmologists.
Personal life
- Married three times.
- Father of four daughters.
Death
Arp died in Munich on December 28, 2013. The reported cause was a stroke; he was 86 years old.