2021-01-06 Guide to the Arlo Landolt Oral History, 2001-2002 SPEC.PA.56.0090 Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2021 January This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2021-01-06T16:55-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Arlo Landolt Oral History SPEC.PA.56.0090 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.05 Cubic feet 2001-2002 As of 2021, Arlo Udell Landolt is a professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University. He is an American astronomer who travelled to Antarctica in 1956 as a part of the International Geophysical Year (IGY.) The Arlo Landolt Oral History, dated 2001-2002, contains audio recordings, notes, and a transcript of the interview between Dr. Landolt and Brian Shoemaker conducted on April 10, 2001. Topics discussed include Landolt's trip to Antarctica in 1956-1957 for the IGY, his scientific research on the trip, memories of Antarctica, and his astronomy career. (2) audiocassettes; (2) letter file folders English Landolt, Arlo U. (Arlo Udell), 1935- Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process with the first file containing notes created before, during, and after the interview.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2001.0009: Arlo Landolt, 2001 April

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Arlo Landolt Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0090, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains audiocassettes.

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audio/visual materials may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2020 October; finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2021 January

 Biographical Note

Arlo Udell Landolt (1935-) is an American astronomer who travelled to Antarctica in 1956 as a part of the International Geophysical Year (IGY.) He completed his undergraduate degree at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1955, with a combined degree in physics and math, and the same year continued his schooling by starting on a PhD in astronomy at Indiana University.

At the same time, he also heard about the IGY, and applied for several jobs related to the IGY in Antarctica. Landolt ultimately was hired and began training for life in Antarctica from September to December of 1956, leaving for the southernmost continent in January 1957. He took a leave of absence of a year and a half from his graduate program at Indiana University in order to go on this trip. While in Antarctica, Landolt studied the aurora and air glow.

Following his trip to Antarctica, Landolt resumed his graduate studies and finished his PhD in astronomy in 1962. The same year, he began working at Louisiana State University, with his work focusing on astronomy and photometry. Landolt is best known for his photometric standard star lists, known as the “Landolt standards," which are used to help calibrate astronomical data taken at different locations. As of 2021, Landolt is a professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University.

 Scope and Contents

The Arlo Landolt Oral History, dated 2001-2002, contains audio recordings, notes, and a transcript of the interview between Dr. Landolt and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on April 10, 2001. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by the American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics discussed include Landolt's trip to Antarctica in 1956-1957 for the International Geophysical Year, his scientific research on the trip, memories of Antarctica, and his astronomy career.

 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

Landolt, Arlo U. (Arlo Udell), 1935- -- Interviews Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.)--Faculty. Antarctica--Social life and customs--20th century Astronomers--Antarctica--20th century Astronomers--Louisiana--20th century Astronomers--Louisiana--21st century Astronomy--Research--Antarctica--20th century Astronomy--Research--Louisiana--20th century Astronomy--Research--Louisiana--21st century Astronomy--Study and teaching (Higher)--Louisiana--20th century Astronomy--Study and teaching (Higher)--Louisiana--21st century Audiocassettes International Geophysical Year, 1957-1958--Antarctica International Geophysical Year, 1957-1958--Personal narratives Oral histories (literary works) Notes Polar Oral History 3 1 2001-2002 Interview recording Polar Oral History 6 1 2001 April 10 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Interview recording copy Polar Oral History 9 1 2001 April 10 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Transcript Polar Oral History 3 2 2001 April 10 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.