  Al Cameron, who died recently (October 3, 2005) at 80, was one of the giants
in astrophysics. His insights were profound and his interests were
wide-ranging. Originally trained as a nuclear physicist, he made major
contributions in a number of fields, including nuclear reactions in stars,
nucleosynthesis, the abundances of the elements in the Solar System, and the
origin of the Solar System and the Moon. In 1957, Cameron and, independently,
Burbidge, Burbidge, Fowler and Hoyle, wrote seminal papers on nuclear
astrophysics. Most of our current ideas concerning element formation in stars
have followed from those two pioneering and historical works. Al also made many
contributions in the field of Solar System physics. Particularly noteworthy in
this regard was Cameron's work on the formation of the Moon. Al was also a good
friend and mentor of young people. Al Cameron will be missed by many in the
community both for his scientific contributions and for his friendship.
