Ian HALLIDAY

IAN HALLIDAY1928 - 2018 On June 18, 2018, in his 90th year. Ian Halliday, beloved husband of 67 years to Norma Halliday (Mobley), whom he dearly loved and cherished. He was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Edith Halliday; his brother, Bruce; and his son, Mark. He will be missed by his family of whom he was proud and dearly loved, including son, John (Elizabeth) of New Hamburg; daughter, Janet (Robert McNaught) of Campbellcroft; grandchildren, Patricia Halliday, Peter Halliday and Ian McNaught; step-grandsons, Shane and Blair McNaught. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Halliday of Tavistock. He was a devoted uncle, great uncle and great-grandfather. Ian was born on November 10, 1928 in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. As a result of the family's frequent moves, he attended schools in Saskatoon, Montreal West, Toronto and Ottawa, where he graduated from Lisgar Collegiate in 1945. Ian received his BA in Mathematics and Physics (Astronomy option) from the University of Toronto in 1949 followed by an MA (1950) and PhD (1954) from the same institution. Shortly after completing his PhD, he began a lifelong scientific career, first at the Dominion Observatory in Ottawa and later as part of the Upper Atmosphere Research Section of the National Research Council (later the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics). While his earliest research involved stellar spectroscopy, most of his career focused on work in the general area of meteor astronomy. His meteor research covered a wide breadth of topics including meteor spectroscopy, fireball and crater studies in addition to meteorite recovery. He also conducted innovative research in other areas of planetary astronomy ranging from estimation of the diameter of Pluto to studies of comets. Among his major scientific accomplishments was identification of the auroral green line in meteor spectra, an observation which helped in understanding the role played by meteors in interactions with the upper atmosphere. He led the establishment and operation of the Meteorite Observation and Recovery project (MORP), a pioneering network of cameras in Western Canada designed to recover recently fallen meteorites. The Innisfree meteorite, recovered in Alberta as part of the MORP program in 1977, was only the 3rd meteorite fall at the time to have a measured orbit. It became one of the earliest direct observations establishing that meteorites originate from the main asteroid belt. His later analysis of many hundreds of MORP fireballs produced the still definitive estimate of fireball and meteorite impact rates at the Earth. His career was particularly distinguished by his service to the wider scientific community. This included as Editor of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada from 1970-1975 and as national President of the RASC from 1980-1982. He served as President of the International Astronomical Union Commission #22 (Meteors, Meteorites and Interplanetary Dust) from 1976-1979. Recognition of his lifelong contributions to Astronomy in Canada included election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1979, receiving the RASC Gold Medal in 1949 and Service Award in 1974 in addition to the Queen's Silver Jubilee medal in 1977. Internationally, his contributions to the broader field of meteoritics are reflected in his election as a fellow of the Meteoritical Society in 1962. Asteroid 3944 was named Halliday by the International Astronomical Union in 1989 in his honour. His passion for science and astronomy continued long after his retirement, advocating for the role of science in public policy and mentoring a new generation of young astronomers. An avid hockey fan, he assisted Norma in the care of their extensive gardens and enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Big Clear Lake where he had spent many summers as a child. Ian bore the numerous illnesses he experienced over the last few months without complaint; his cheerful disposition never wavering. He treated everyone with courtesy and respect. He will be remembered for his modesty, generosity, good humour and gentle nature. In accordance with Ian's wishes, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place with interment to take place at a future date at Pinecrest Cemetery. Donations may be made in Ian's memory to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.