Adam Frank


Adam Frank is an American physicist, astronomer, and writer. His scientific research has focused on computational astrophysics with an emphasis on star formation and late stages of stellar evolution. Currently, his work includes studies of exoplanet atmospheres and astrobiology. The latter include studies of the generic response of planets to the evolution of energy-intensive civilizations.
His popular writing has focused on issues of science in its cultural context. Topics include: issues of climate and the human future, technology and cultural evolution; the nature of mind and experience; science and religion. He is a co-founder of NPR's 13.7 Cosmos and Culture Blog., a regular on-air contributor to All Things Considered and an occasional contributor to the New York Times.

Life and career

Frank was born on 1 August 1962 in Belleville, New Jersey. He attended the University of Colorado for his undergraduate work and received his PhD from the University of Washington. He held post-doctoral positions at Leiden University in the Netherlands and the University of Minnesota. In 1995, Frank was awarded the Hubble Fellowship. In 1996, he joined the faculty of the University of Rochester, where he is currently a professor of astrophysics.
Frank's research focus is astrophysical fluid dynamics. His research group developed the AstroBEAR adaptive mesh refinement code used for simulating magneto fluid dynamics flows in astrophysical contexts. Projects using AstroBEAR include the study of jets from protostars as well the evolution of planetary nebula at the end of a solar-type star's life.

Popular writing

Frank's first book was The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs. Religion Debate, published 2009. It discussed the ongoing relationship between science and religion.
In 2010, Frank co-founded NPR's 13.7 Cosmos and Culture Blog with Marcelo Gleiser. In 2018, Frank and Gleiser's blog moved to Orbiter magazine with a new name, 13.8: Science, Culture, and Meaning. Frank has also written for Discover magazine. His work appeared in 2009 Best Science and Nature Writing and 2009 Best Buddhist Writing.
Frank's second book, published in fall 2011, About Time: Cosmology and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang explores the relationship between changing ideas in cosmology and the cultural idea of time.
Frank wrote an article titled "Yes, There Have Been Aliens", based on his astronomical observations, which stated "a trillion civilizations still would have appeared over the course of cosmic history".
Frank wrote a college science textbook titled Astronomy At Play in the Cosmos, published in September 2016.
Frank's most recent book, Light of the Stars. Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth, was published on 12 June 2018. It attempts to reframe debates about climate change by showing it to be a generic phenomena which will occur on almost any technological civilization on any planet. Thus, it explores what Frank calls the Astrobiology of the Anthropocene.

Awards and recognition