Tom Marsh (astronomer)
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1961
Atacama Desert, Chile
Atacama Desert, Chile
Tom Marsh | |
|---|---|
 Marsh in 2010 | |
| Born | Thomas Richard Marsh 1961 Old Windsor, England, UK |
| Disappeared | 16 September 2022 Atacama Desert, Chile |
| Died | 2022 (aged 60–61) Atacama Desert, Chile |
| Body discovered | 10 November 2022 Atacama Desert, Chile |
| Occupations | |
| Employers | |
| Awards | Herschel Medal, 2018 |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Queens' College, Cambridge |
Thomas Richard Marsh (1961–2022) was a British astronomer and astrophysicist. His research topics included the accretion and evolution of binary star systems.[1] He was awarded the Herschel Medal in 2018 for his development of doppler tomography which he used to study compact binary stars.[2][3]
Marsh worked to bring astronomy to less affluent countries and maintained a strong link with Thailand. This enabled astronomers there to use his high-speed cameras and be part of these international endeavours. He also worked with amateur astronomers, and one of his high-profile papers resulted from an initial observation by an amateur astronomer that he followed up.[4]
Disappearance
In 2022, Marsh was a visiting astronomer at the European Southern Observatory (ESO).[5]
On 14 September, Marsh arrived with a PhD student from the University of Warwick at the ESO La Silla Observatory for a 4-day observing visit.[5][6][7] On 16 September, Marsh disappeared during either a hike or observing run at the La Silla.[5][8][9] The search for Marsh was extended when his mobile phone and various articles of clothing were found in the Atacama Desert.[6]
On 10 November, Marsh's body was found approximately two miles from La Silla by the Grupo de Operaciones Policiales Especiales on a steep, rocky slope next to a cluster of rocks in the Atacama Desert.[5][6][8][10] Marsh was found dressed only from the waist down.[10][8]
Inquest
A coroner's inquest into the nature of Marsh's death is due to take place on 27 March 2026 at Warwickshire County Council.[11]
Legacy
In 2024, a memorial for Marsh was erected at the La Silla Observatory on the road between the New Technology Telescope and the Swedish-ESO Submillimetre Telescope.[12]
