Kip Thorne Biography
Kip Thorne is a theoretical physicist best known for his contributions to gravitational physics and astrophysics. Regardless, he was the Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) until 2009. Also, he is one of the world’s leading experts on the astrophysical implications of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Thorne’s ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to both scientific and general audiences has played a crucial role in his rise to fame. He has authored popular science books, delivered public lectures, and appeared in various media outlets to educate and engage the public in the wonders of astrophysics and theoretical physics. Thorne’s efforts in science communication have not only earned him a wide following but have also contributed to raising awareness and interest in the field among a broader audience.
His groundbreaking research and contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017. These accolades have further elevated his status and brought widespread attention to his work, solidifying his reputation as one of the leading theoretical physicists of his time.
10 Quick Facts About Kip Thorne
- Name: Kip Thorne
- Age: 83 Years (2023)
- Birthday: 1 June
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Theoretical Physicist
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: To be Updated
- Net worth: $17 million
Kip Thorne Age
Thorne is 83 years old as of 2023, he was born on 1 June 1940, in Logan, Utah, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 1 June every year and his birth sign is Gemini.
Kip Thorne Height
Thorne stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70m) tall.
Kip Thorne Weight
Thorne weighs 60 kg (132 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Thorne was born on 1 June 1940, in Logan, Utah, United States. He graduated from Logan High School (Utah) where he excelled in academics at an early age. He won recognition in the Westinghouse Science Talent and he became one of the youngest full professors in the history of California Institute of Technology at age 30.
He received his B.S. degree from Caltech in 1962, and a Ph.D. degree from Princeton University in 1965. He went on and wrote his doctoral thesis, in Geometrodynamics of Cylindrical Systems, under the supervision of John Wheeler.
Rise to Fame
Thorne rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s for his work on black holes and wormholes. He was a pioneer in the field of general relativity, and his research helped to make these phenomena more accessible to the general public. Thorne’s work also inspired generations of scientists and filmmakers.
One of Thorne’s most notable contributions was his development of the theory of gravitational collapse, which led to the prediction of black holes. Thorne also helped to develop the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which was the first instrument to detect gravitational waves.
In 1996, Thorne was awarded the Albert Einstein Medal for his work on black holes and general relativity. In 2017, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Rainer Weiss and Barry Barish for their work on LIGO.
Kip Thorne Parents
Kip was born and brought up in Logan, Utah, United States as the son of D. Wynne Thorne (father) and Alison C. Thorne (mother). His father was a chemist by profession and his mother was an economist. His mother was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in the discipline of economy from Iowa State College.
His parents were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Kip was brought up in the LDS faith, though he now describes himself as an atheist.
Kip Thorne Siblings
Kip was raised in an academic environment together with two of his four siblings who became professors.
Kip Thorne Wife
Thorne is currently married to his lovely wife Carolee Joyce Winstein a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy at USC. The couple did their wedding in 1984. He was previously married to Linda Jean Peterson in 1960, and together share two children; Kares Anne, and Bret Carter. Later they divorced in 1977.
Kip Thorne Children
Thorne is the proud father of two children: Kares Anne and Bret Carter.
Kip Thorne Net worth
Thorne has an estimated net worth of $17 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Theoretical Physicist. Through his various sources of income, Thorne has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts and Body Measurements
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Kip:
Kip Thorne Wiki
- Full Names: Kip Stephen Thorne
- Popular As: Kip Thorne
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Theoretical Physicist
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: To be Updated
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Kip Thorne Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 83 Years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Date of Birth: 1 June 1940
- Place of Birth: Logan, Utah, United States
- Birthday: 1 June
Kip Thorne Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: To be Updated
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70m)
- Weight: 60 kg (132 lbs)
- Eye Color: To be Updated
- Hair Color: Bald
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
- Chest Size: To be Updated
- Waist Size: To be Updated
Kip Thorne Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): D. Wynne Thorne
- Mother: Alison C. Thorne
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Four
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse/Wife: Married to Carolee Joyce Winstein
- Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Kares Anne and Bret Carter
Kip Thorne Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $17 million
- Salary: To be Updated
- Source of Income: Theoretical Physicist
Kip Thorne House and Cars
- Place of living: United States
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Career
Thorne is an American theoretical physicist known for his contributions in the fields of general relativity and astrophysics. He has had a distinguished career spanning several decades and has made significant contributions to our understanding of black holes, gravitational waves, and the nature of the universe.
Thorne began his academic career at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he obtained his undergraduate degree in physics in 1962. He then went on to pursue his Ph.D. at Princeton University, which he completed in 1965. After completing his doctorate, Thorne returned to Caltech as a faculty member and has remained there ever since, holding the Richard P. Feynman Professorship of Theoretical Physics.
Throughout his career, Thorne has made numerous groundbreaking contributions to the field of astrophysics. In the 1970s, he made important theoretical predictions about the behavior of matter falling into black holes and the properties of black hole spacetime. He also collaborated with fellow physicists Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose on understanding the nature of singularities and the cosmic censorship hypothesis.
Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
In the 1960s, he traveled to the Soviet Union to attend a conference on general relativity. This was a significant event because it was one of the first times that American and Soviet scientists had been able to meet and discuss their work.
In the 1970s, he was a member of the team that developed the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). LIGO was the first instrument to detect gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of spacetime.
In the 1980s, he worked with Carl Sagan to develop the concept for the novel Contact. The novel was about a woman who travels through a wormhole to another galaxy.
In the 2010s, he was a consultant for the film Interstellar. The film was about a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole to find a new home for humanity.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
Thorne’s philanthropic work focused on supporting education and research in physics and astronomy. He was a major donor to the California Institute of Technology, where he taught for many years. He also donated to other universities and research institutions, and he established several scholarships for students interested in physics and astronomy.
Thorne was also a strong advocate for science education. He wrote several books and articles about physics and astronomy for the general public, and he gave numerous public lectures. He was also a member of the board of directors of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he served as a science advisor to the film Interstellar.
Kip Thorne Nobel Prize
Thorne was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017 for his significant contributions to the detection of gravitational waves. He shared the prize with Rainer Weiss and Barry C. Barish, who were also key members of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) project.
The Nobel Prize recognized Thorne’s crucial role in the development of LIGO, a groundbreaking experiment that directly detected gravitational waves for the first time. Thorne’s theoretical insights and contributions were instrumental in shaping the project, providing the foundation for the successful detection and analysis of gravitational waves.
Kip Thorne Google Scholar
Thorne has a Google Scholar profile with over 1650 highly influential citations and 417 scientific research papers. His most cited paper is “Gravitational Radiation from Colliding Black Holes” (1975), which has over 10,000 citations. Other highly cited papers include “The Oppenheimer-Snyder Model of Black Hole Formation” (1960), “Wormholes in Spacetime” (1988), and “The Science of Interstellar” (2014).
Thorne’s research has had a profound impact on our understanding of gravity, black holes, and wormholes. His work has helped to make these phenomena more accessible to the general public and has inspired generations of scientists and filmmakers.
Kip Thorne Interstellar
Thorne, the renowned theoretical physicist, had a significant involvement in the science fiction film “Interstellar.” He served as a scientific consultant and executive producer for the movie, working closely with director Christopher Nolan to ensure the film’s scientific accuracy and fidelity to current scientific knowledge.
Thorne’s contributions to “Interstellar” primarily centered around the depiction of black holes, wormholes, and the physics of space and time. His deep understanding of general relativity and his expertise in astrophysics was instrumental in shaping the film’s scientific concepts and visuals.
Kip Thorne Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
Thorne was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics along with Rainer Weiss and Barry C. Barish for their decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves. This groundbreaking achievement confirmed the existence of gravitational waves, predicted by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity.
Thorne was awarded the prestigious Albert Einstein Medal by the Albert Einstein Society in Switzerland for his outstanding contributions to the field of theoretical physics, particularly in the area of general relativity and gravitational waves.
Thorne, along with Rainer Weiss and Ronald W. P. Drever, was awarded the Shaw Prize in Astronomy for the decisive role he played in the success of the LIGO project and the direct detection of gravitational waves.
Thorne received the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics from the Franklin Institute for his revolutionary contributions to the understanding of general relativity and the discovery of gravitational waves.
Legacy
Here are some aspects of his legacy:
Thorne’s groundbreaking work on gravitational waves and his instrumental role in the development of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) project has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. His contributions to LIGO and the subsequent discoveries have had a lasting impact on astrophysics and cosmology.
As a highly respected scientist and educator, Thorne has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to make their own significant contributions to physics. His dedication to teaching and sharing knowledge has had a lasting impact on the next generation of scientists, ensuring the continued progress and advancement of the field.
Quotes
Final Thought
Thorne’s final thought was that the universe is a vast and mysterious place and that we are only just beginning to understand it. He believed that science is the best way to understand the universe and that we should never stop asking questions. He was excited about the future of science and believed that we are on the cusp of amazing discoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kip Thorne
Kip Thorne is a theoretical physicist best known for his contributions to gravitational physics and astrophysics. Regardless, he was the Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) until 2009. Also, he is one of the world’s leading experts on the astrophysical implications of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Thorne is an American national born on 1 June 1940, in Logan, Utah, United States.
Thorne stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70m) tall.
Thorne is currently married to his lovely wife Carolee Joyce Winstein a professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy at USC.
Thorne has an approximate net worth of $17 million. This amount has been accrued from HIS leading roles AS Theoretical Physicist.
Details about Thorne salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Thorne is a resident of Logan, Utah, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Thorne is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Thorne continues to do scientific research and scientific consulting, most notably for the Christopher Nolan film Interstellar.
Kip Thorne Contacts
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