Graeme Reade Anthony (‘Bill’) Ellis 1921–2011

Abstract

Graeme Reade Anthony Ellis (universally known as ‘Bill') was a pioneer in the area of low-frequency radio observations. By exploiting Hobart's geomagnetic latitude and the lack of background radio noise there, he was able to make major discoveries at these low frequencies (principally in the frequency range 1–10 MHz).Among the questions he pursuedwere the propagation/dispersion/reflection of radio waves in the ionosphere and the detection of radio emissions from the Sun, the galactic disk and Jupiter. He built innovative radio receivers and de-dispersers to gain information about the radio sources, for example about the Sun via aurorae and about the influence of Io on the Jovian emissions. It is thanks to Ellis' practical research investigations and clever experimental methods that radio astronomy at the University of Tasmania is today firmly established and internationally recognized.