Draft:Scott Chapman, astronomer
Canadian astrophysicist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scott Christopher Chapman (born 13 May 1971) is a Canadian astrophysicist known for his research on galaxy formation in the early universe, particularly the study of dusty star-forming galaxies observed at submillimetre wavelengths. He is a professor of astrophysics at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1]
Submission declined on 6 March 2026 by ChrysGalley (talk).
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Comment: I suspect there is notability, but it is neither shown nor proven via sourcing. See WP:NACADEMIC. I would guess criteria 1 applies, and there is a vague comment about loads of citation. Well there is the small, or rather not small, matter of the subject's h-index, which may be part of the evidence for criteria 1. If there is an elected fellowship that would also help. I'll also leave a comment on COI on your talk page. ChrysGalley (talk) 19:06, 6 March 2026 (UTC)
May 13, 1971
Scott Chapman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Scott Christopher Chapman May 13, 1971 |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia |
| Known for | Research on dusty star-forming galaxies and the high-redshift universe |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrophysics, Observational cosmology |
| Institutions | Dalhousie University University of Cambridge California Institute of Technology University of Victoria |
| Thesis | (1999) |
Chapman's research focuses on observational cosmology and the role of heavily dust-obscured galaxies in the cosmic history of star formation. His work has contributed to understanding the redshift distribution and physical properties of submillimetre galaxies, a population of intensely star-forming galaxies common in the early universe.[2]
Early life and education
Chapman studied physics and astronomy at the University of British Columbia, where he completed his PhD in astronomy in 1999.[3]
His doctoral work focused on observational studies of distant galaxies and active galactic nuclei.
Career
After completing his PhD, Chapman held a Magellan Fellowship at the Carnegie Observatories from 1999 to 2001.[3]
He later worked at the California Institute of Technology as a senior postdoctoral scholar before returning to Canada to work with the National Research Council Canada and the University of Victoria.[3]
Chapman subsequently joined the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, where he served as Reader and later Professor of Astrophysics.[3]
In 2012 he joined Dalhousie University as Professor of Astrophysics.[3]
Career timeline
- 1999 – PhD in astronomy, University of British Columbia
- 1999–2001 – Magellan Fellow, Carnegie Observatories
- 2001–2006 – Senior Postdoctoral Scholar, California Institute of Technology
- 2006–2012 – Reader and Professor, Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
- 2012–present – Professor of Astrophysics, Dalhousie University
Research
Chapman’s work focuses on understanding how galaxies formed during the first few billion years after the Big Bang. Much of his research involves the study of submillimetre galaxies, a population of dust-enshrouded galaxies undergoing extremely high rates of star formation.
In a widely cited 2003 study published in Nature, Chapman and collaborators measured spectroscopic redshifts for a sample of submillimetre galaxies and found a median redshift of approximately 2.4, demonstrating that these galaxies were most common during the epoch of peak cosmic star formation.[2] The study showed that such galaxies were far more numerous in the early universe than today and likely played a significant role in the buildup of stellar mass in massive galaxies.[2]
Subsequent surveys extended this work by measuring redshifts and physical properties for larger samples of submillimetre galaxies.[4]
Major collaborations
Chapman has participated in several international astronomical collaborations investigating galaxy formation and evolution.
South Pole Telescope
Chapman has contributed to surveys conducted with the South Pole Telescope that discovered strongly gravitationally lensed dusty star-forming galaxies at high redshift.
Herschel Space Observatory
He has worked with data from the Herschel Space Observatory, which conducted large infrared surveys of dust-obscured star formation in the early universe.
Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
Chapman has participated in observational programs using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which provides high-resolution imaging of molecular gas and dust in distant galaxies.
James Webb Space Telescope
Chapman has also contributed to research using the James Webb Space Telescope to study the chemistry and star-forming activity of distant galaxies.[5]
CCAT-prime
Chapman is involved in the scientific planning of CCAT-prime, a high-altitude submillimetre telescope located in the Atacama Desert designed to map the early universe and the cosmic microwave background.
Selected publications
- Chapman, S. C.; Blain, A. W.; Ivison, R. J.; Smail, I. (2003). "A median redshift of 2.4 for galaxies bright at submillimetre wavelengths". Nature. 422: 695–698. doi:10.1038/nature01540.
- Chapman, S. C.; Blain, A. W.; Smail, I.; Ivison, R. J. (2005). "A redshift survey of the submillimeter galaxy population". The Astrophysical Journal. 622: 772–796. doi:10.1086/428082.
Citation metrics
Chapman’s publications have received thousands of citations in the astronomical literature, reflecting his contributions to the study of high-redshift galaxies and submillimetre astronomy.
Research topics
- Galaxy formation and evolution
- Dusty star-forming galaxies
- Submillimetre astronomy
- Observational cosmology
or multiple published secondary sources that:
- provide significant coverage: discuss the subject in detail, not just brief mentions or routine announcements;
- are reliable: from reputable outlets with editorial oversight;
- are independent: not connected to the subject, such as interviews, press releases, the subject's own website, or sponsored content.
Please add references that meet these criteria. If none exist, the subject is not yet suitable for Wikipedia.