Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Birthday
(Monday)
Died
Birthplace
Nationality
Languages
English
Residences
United States
Education
ETH Zurich
Zodiac Sign
♒ Aquarius
Chinese Zodiac
狗 Dog
Name Origin
English < German
Popularity
Tier C -- 4,446 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Fritz Zwicky: Swiss astronomer who posited dark matter (1898–1974).
Born in Varna (died at age 75).
4 awards including Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Studied at ETH Zurich.
AWARDS (4)
B
Fellow of the American Physical Society
WON
B
Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society
WON
B
International Space Hall of Fame
WON
B
Medal of Freedom
WON
Biography
Fritz Zwicky was a Swiss astronomer. He worked most of his life at the California Institute of Technology in the United States of America, where he made many important contributions in theoretical and observational astronomy. He was the first to propose supernovas as giant explosions at the end of a star's life, and neutron stars as the remnants left over after supernovas. In 1933, Zwicky was the first to use the virial theorem to postulate the existence of unseen dark matter, describing it as "dunkle Materie".
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Fritz Zwicky?
Fritz Zwicky was born on and passed away on at the age of 75.
Where was Fritz Zwicky born?
Fritz Zwicky was born in Varna.
Where can I find more information about Fritz Zwicky?
You can find more about Fritz Zwicky on Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.