American astrophysicist whose name is borne by the Gunn-Peterson effect — a key observational evidence of the epoch of reionization of the Universe. He made a decisive contribution to the formation of modern cosmology, the theory of galaxy formation, and the development of astronomical instruments, including CCD cameras.
Biography
He studied at Rice University and Caltech. For more than 40 years, he was a professor at Princeton University. He was the scientific director of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), which mapped millions of galaxies.
Key discoveries
The Gunn-Peterson effect — absorption in the spectra of distant quasars by neutral hydrogen
indicating the epoch of reionization. Theory of galaxy formation and evolution. Development and implementation of CCD detectors in astronomy.
💡 Gunn was one of the inspirers and leaders of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), which mapped millions of galaxies.
"She viewed the Universe as a laboratory for observation, not for experimentation."