Prize Winners

Curriculum Vitae

PhD in Astrophysics. Research Fellow at the CSIC.

Jury ruling

The jury for the Rei Jaume I Prize for Basic Research, meeting in Valencia, has unanimously decided to award the 2002 prize to Mr Rafael Rebolo López.

For his groundbreaking research in astrophysics and cosmology. His 1988 work on the abundance of metallic lithium in the oldest stars in our galaxy demonstrated how it was possible to establish limits on the density of ordinary matter in the universe. Later, this method was extended to demonstrate the formation of black holes following a supernova explosion. He was part of the international team that discovered the anisotropic structure of the cosmic microwave background – the remnant of the Big Bang and the earliest traces of galaxy formation.

He has made other significant contributions, notably the discovery of the first brown dwarf and the detection of large, isolated planets.

His work has helped to improve our understanding of the formation and structure of our universe.