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Dr. Paul Herget was a distinguished astronomer and professor at the University of Cincinnati, serving as director of the Cincinnati Observatory and head of the astronomy department. His academic career spanned over four decades, during which he contributed significantly to celestial mechanics, orbital computations, and computer applications in astronomy. He held roles such as professor of astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and directed the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union. Herget’s work during WWII involved developing triangulation methods to track German submarines, leveraging spherical trigonometry and early computing machines. His 1948 book, *The Computation of Orbits*, became foundational for space exploration, aiding programs like Mercury and Atlas missiles.
Educated at the University of Cincinnati (B.A. 1931, M.A. 1933, Ph.D. 1935), Herget also worked at the U.S. Naval Observatory, contributing to the Air Almanac and submarine tracking. His research extended to asteroid rediscovery (e.g., Athelia in 1954) and computational advancements, including use of IBM punch-card systems. Awards include the James Craig Watson Medal (1965) and membership in the National Academy of Sciences (1962). He advised students in dynamical astronomy and mentored researchers in trajectory modeling, leaving a legacy in both academia and applied science.
Herget’s honors include being named a Distinguished Service Professor, Engineer of the Year (1957), and recipient of the Dirk Brouwer Award (1980). His work bridged pure research with practical applications, from space exploration to cancer registry computing at Holmes Hospital. Despite retiring in 1978, he remained active in scholarly pursuits until his death in 1981.
