Jeremiah Ostriker, a pivotal astrophysicist who reshaped our understanding of the universe, passed away at 87 due to end-stage renal disease. His work at Princeton significantly changed perceptions on galaxy formation and evolution, challenging the long-held belief that stars were the primary components of galaxies. He advocated for dark matter's role, suggesting that visible stars were merely a small part of a larger, unseen structure. Esteemed by peers, he was recognized for redefining astronomical models and inspiring future research into the universe's mysterious forces.
Dr. Ostriker's work altered our understanding of how galaxies form and evolve as he explored the nature of pulsars, the role of black holes in the evolution of the cosmos and what the universe is made of.
Before the 1970s, most astronomers believed that galaxies were made up mostly of stars. Ostriker was the most important figure convincing the community that this assumption is wrong.
David Spergel noted Dr. Ostriker's eloquent advocacy for the then-radical new model in which the visible stars in galaxies were only a minor pollutant in a halo of dark matter.
His scientific exploration not only reshaped our view of the universe but also emphasized the significance of the invisible forces that govern cosmic structures.
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