Robert P. Kirshner `70

Professor of Astronomy Robert P. Kirshner `70 has spent most of his career studying exploding stars, a fitting task for one of the most dynamic professors on campus.

In addition to teaching the popular Core Science A-35: “Matter in the Universe,” he is the Head of the Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the incoming Master of Quincy House.

"What an intoxicating moment!" he enthuses. "It's really a lot. You only have one resource, time, and the trick is balancing the active research with a more social atmosphere. I think it's possible--I certainly hope it's possible."

Kirshner concentrated in astronomy as an undergraduate at Harvard, where part of his senior thesis won the Bowdoin prize for "useful and polite literature."

"I was really proud of that- 'useful and polite literature.' I've tried to stay useful and polite,” he jokes.

This comes from a man who spent much of his college time in theatricals, the Hasty Pudding and being captain of the cycling team.

After graduate school and post-doctorate work, he got a "real job" as a professor at the University of Michigan.

"Then Harvard called, you know those Olympian snobs. And I thought I would be perfectly happy to stay at Michigan and do better than Harvard, and then I thought, 'Well, maybe not,'" he says.

Commenting on the popularity of his course that he has taught since 1988, Kirshner modestly avoids his personal popularity.

"I think it's the subject matter, really. These are big ideas, and people are really interested in where everything came from and where we're going," he says.

"Of course, I think there is a tiny bit of a circus atmosphere to the class," he admits, referring to his wild demonstrations.

Kirshner is ready to bring his circus to Quincy House, where he lived as an undergraduate.

"I am very pleased about that. I've been a not-very-good member of the Senior Common Room- well, I went to the good parties. But now I'm actually going to have some real responsibility," he says. "The phrase I like to use is 'serious fun.' There is a world of ideas ou there and it would be great to be able to cut across disciplines for enjoyable learning."

"As far as the social life goes, I think the students pretty much take care of that on their own," he chuckles.