Jeremiah P. Ostriker, Charles A. Young Professor of Astronomy on the Class of 1897 Foundation, Emeritus passed away on the morning of April 6th at his home in New York City. Ostriker was one of the most pre-eminent theoretical astrophysicists in the last half-century, making fundamental contributions to our understanding of the interstellar medium and intergalactic medium, galaxy formation and the role dark matter plays in their structure, the origin of cosmic rays, and many other topics. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1964, joined Princeton’s faculty in 1966, served as Chair of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences from 1979 to 1995, and was Provost of Princeton University from 1995 to 2001. He was awarded an Honorary Degree by Princeton University in 2017.
Ostriker's research had impact in many areas of astrophysics. He was a cosmologist, exploring the properties of dark matter and dark energy and ways to test and constrain what is now referred to as the standard cosmological model. He studied the evolution of galaxies, and their relation to the dark matter halos in which they sit. He developed much of our modern understanding of the structure and multi-phase nature of the interstellar medium, as well as the nature of the intergalactic medium. He played multiple roles as an administrator and leader in the broader astronomical community, including doing the fundraising and political groundwork that made the Sloan Digital Sky Survey project possible. Ostriker also played an important mentoring role training the next generation of astrophysics students and postdocs during his nearly 50 years at Princeton.
Among many other awards, Ostriker received the United States National Medal of Science from Bill Clinton in 2000.
One of the most significant contributions Ostriker made as Provost at Princeton was an initiative to ensure that undergraduate students did not leave Princeton with student loan debt. This expansion of the financial aid package available to students greatly broadened the opportunity for students from different economic backgrounds to attend Princeton, and inspired other universities in the Ivy League and beyond to follow Princeton’s example.
His contributions to science, the University, and to colleagues will be sorely missed. Many have noted that he helped create a welcoming environment in the Astrophysics department, was always willing to give advice, and had a wonderful sense of humor!
Neta Bahcall, Eugene Higgins Professor of Astronomy reflected “what an enormous loss — to science, to his colleagues and friends, to our department and the University, and of course to his family. A giant in science, a close friend for decades, an inspiration, a remarkable human being. His stellar legacy will shine forever.”
Ostriker is survived by his wife, poet Alicia Ostriker and his children Rebecca, Gabriel, and Eve Ostriker (herself a professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton).
Read more about Ostriker's work and legacy on the University website, IAP (Paris) website, The New York Times, and his obituary.
Post your thoughts and memories of Jerry on the University’s memorial page here.