The scientific legacy of Beppo Occhialini

Abstract

The Year 2007 marks the centenary of the birth of Guiseppe "Beppo" Occhialini, one of the pioneers of cosmic ray and space physics in Europe, and in Italy in particular. Occhialini, beyond being known as a skilled administrator and strong advocate of European Space Sciences, is co-discoverer of the pion in 1948. The present volume collects reviews, essays and personal reminiscences on Occhialini's scientific life and work. Through these recollections the reader will also gain a vivid impression of the pioneering days of elementary particle physics when new detection methods emerged, like the triggered cloud chamber and nuclear emulsions - two techniques perfected by Occhialini - which made progress on comic ray physics possible in the first place