Beals, Carlyle Smith, 1899-1979 : Carlyle Smith Beals was born in Canso, Nova Scotia, on June 29th 1899. In 1919, he obtained a bachelor degree at Acadia University, NS (specialised in physics and mathematics). In 1922, he obtained an M.A. from University of Toronto, under the supervision of J.C. McLennan (one of the leading physicist of the time). This work, on Triboluminescence spectra, was published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada in 1923 as his first publication. In 1924, he entered at the Royal College of Science of London University with professor Alfred Fowler, leader in the field of astrophysical spectroscopy, as his research Director. He obtained is Ph.D. form the University of London in 1926.
After graduation he was appointed Assistant Professor of Physics at Acadia University. In 1927, he accepted an appointment as Assistant Astronomer at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, B.C..That was the beginning of his career as an astronomer at the service of the government of Canada. In 1940, he reached the position of First Assistant Astronomer and then became Assistant Director of the Observatory. While in Victoria, Beals made important contributions to the observation and interpretation of emission lines in the spectra of certain hot stars, to the understanding of the nature of gas clouds in interstellar space and to the development of instrumentation for astronomy. During World War II he was also involved in research dealing with defence against war gases.
In 1947, Carlyle Smith Beals became the Dominion Astronomer in Ottawa. As Dominion Astronomer he guided the postwar developments of astronomical and geophysical research in Canada. Among these developments were the expansion and improvement of seismological, gravimetric and magnetic installations, the development of the airborne magneto meter and modernization of the Time Service, the installation of photographic zenith telescopes in Ottawa and Alberta, the installation of super-Schmidt meteor cameras in Alberta, new equipment for solar astronomy, a 48-inch telescope for Victoria and the establishment of the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory near Penticton.
At the same period, he developed a keen interest in the geophysical activities of the Observatory and began a study of terrestrial meteorite impact craters. Combining his knowledge of astronomy and his interest in geophysics, he initiated a highly successful program in the identification of meteorite craters in Canada. This research program, which grew in importance with the advent of manned flights to the moon, gain world-wide recognition for Canada.
In 1964, he retired from government service but continued to work as a private scientific consultant. Using the new photographs of the lunar surface obtained from orbiting spacecraft he extended his studies of impact craters, lectured at various universities and acted as Canadian representative on the N.A.T.O. Science Committee.
In recognition of his work, Carlyle Beals was made in 1933 fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and, in 1951, fellow of the Royal Society of London. He was president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 1951-1952 and president of the American Astronomical Society from 1962 to 1964 (the first canadian to hold this post).
In 1958, he won the Gold medal of the professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. In 1966 he was awarded The Leonard Medal the Meteoritical Society for "his outstanding work in the discovery, the physical investigation and the origin of ancient Canadian meteorite craters". He was made Officer of the Order of Canada in 1969 (only 2 years after the creation of the decoration).
Carlyle Smith Beals married Miriam White Bancroft, a professional musician and piano teacher, in 1931. They adopted a daughter, Janitza Beals. He died in 1979 in Ottawa.
In September 1987, minor planet 3314 was named after him.
