Latest news with #TysonMedal
Scroll.in
22-05-2025
- Science
- Scroll.in
Jayant Narlikar (1938-2025): A bright star who rewrote the story of the cosmos
A bright star has gone dark. Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar died in Pune on May 20. He was 87. He devoted his life to the quest for scientific knowledge, the advancement and dissemination of rational thought and the steadfast struggle against pseudoscience. There is perhaps no student of science in India today who must not have heard of Narlikar. Using chalks of various colours and a blackboard, Narlikar imparted lessons on the universe, and our place in it, to generations of students. Narlikar was born in Kolhapur in 1983. His father was a professor of mathematics at Banaras Hindu University. Narlikar followed in father's footsteps, graduating in mathematics from Banaras Hindu University and then pursuing higher studies at Cambridge, where he was awarded the Tyson Medal in the Mathematical Tripos course. At Cambridge, Narlikar met renowned British physicist Fred Hoyle. In the 1960s, radio astronomer Martin Ryle provided new experimental data to Cambridge University's Cavendish Laboratory, supporting the Big Bang Theory. The universe began as an infinitely small, hot, and dense point that swiftly expanded and proceeded to stretch for 13.8 billion years, according to the Big Bang Theory. Narlikar and Hoyle used Ryle's data to show that his results were inconclusive for the Big Bang Theory. Their research yielded the Hoyle-Narlikar theory, also known as the Quasi Steady State Cosmology Theory or Conformal Gravity Theory. It presents an alternate explanation for the formation of the universe. Unlike the Big Bang Theory, the Steady State Theory contends that the cosmos is constantly expanding and creating new matter. This theory asserts that the mass of every object in the universe is affected by its interactions with other objects. Physicist Albert Einstein was inspired by this principle, but could not incorporate it into his theory of relativity. Narlikar and Hoyle's theory proposed a 'creation field', which is a hypothetical negative energy field that continuously creates matter, explaining the Steady State Universe: the universe has no beginning or end, it goes on forever. Their theory gave rise to an alternative understanding of the structure of galaxies, the distribution of matter and cosmic microwave background radiation. In his autobiography, My Tale of Four Cities, Narlikar uses a banking analogy to describe how the world expands steadily while retaining a constant density: 'To understand this concept better, think of capital invested in a bank which offers a fixed rate of compound interest. That is, the interest accrued is constantly added to the capital which therefore grows too, along with the interest. The universe expands like the capital with compound interest. However, as the name 'steady state' implies, the universe always presents the same appearance to any observer. Such an observer, for example, can measure the density of the universe from time to time. He or she should find the universe to have the same density at all times. How is this possible, when we know that anything that expands becomes diluted and less and less dense?' To answer this question, wrote Narlikar, cosmologists Hermann Bondi, Thomas Gold, and Fred Hoyle 'had to conclude that there is new matter created to make up for the diminishing density of existing matter'. This theory makes it possible to explain how stars dating back billions of years can be found, but it is not possible in the Big Bang theory, because it posits that the universe is 13.8 billion years old. The Steady State Teory, based on mathematical principles, is not universally accepted but gave rise to new debates in cosmological research. Narlikar's research on black holes was just as highly regarded. He proposed the concept of a self-gravitating system, which examines the gravitational impact of matter on the geometry of space-time surrounding black holes. A self-gravitating system is one in which the gravitational forces between its components are strong enough to keep the system together and prevent it from dispersing. His studies also focused on active galactic nuclei – AGN. These are the extraordinarily bright, compact centre regions of galaxies where a supermassive black hole actively accretes matter. Narlikar's research centered on the dynamics of black holes and the behaviour of energetic galactic sources, which included the creation of his 'magnetic field ejection model'. It is a cosmological model that proposes that magnetic fields cause quasars and other intense objects to be expelled from galaxies, explaining their observed redshift, which is when galaxies appear to emit red light, and other features. Upon returning to India from Cambridge in 1972, Narlikar joined the theoretical astrophysics group at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, where he remained for 17 years. Under Narlikar's guidance, the institute's Department of Theoretical Astrophysics achieved global acclaim in the mid-1980s. In 1988, the University Grants Commission entrusted Narlikar with the establishment of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune. The centre, founded by distinguished scientists such as Ajit Kamdevi and Naresh Dadhichi, is now recognised as a premier institution in astronomy and astrophysics, both in India and internationally. Under Narlikar, the centre cultivated a multitude of emerging scientists. He retired as the centre's director in 2003. Narlikar was also a dedicated advocate for science. He was prominent in Maharashtra's anti-superstition movement. With scholars and activists Sudhakar Kunte, Narendra Dabholkar, and Prakash Ghadpade, Narlikar demonstrated the ineffectiveness of astrological predictions. In 2018, he attended a science conference organized by the Breakthrough Science Society at Jadavpur University. Only months before his death, in February he had participated in the All India Science Congress in Trivandrum, Kerala. He exemplified the scientist who was an equally effective public speaker. Narlikar was also a science fiction writer, especially for younger readers. He wrote in Hindi, English and Marathi. Many students of the 1990s grew up reading Narlikar's writing, especially his novels. Decades before Covid-19 and artificial intelligence, Narlikar, in The Plague of Athens, wrote about the pandemic that followed a virus brought to earth by an asteroid. In another story, Narlikar wrote about super-intelligent robots, somewhat like ChatGPT today. Throughout his life, he also wrote articles to help ordinary readers understand complex scientific subjects. His achievements were celebrated early in his life, with Padma Bhushan at the remarkably young age of 27. Narlikar went on to receive several awards: the Adam's Award (1967), Kalinga Award (1996), Padma Vibhushan (2004), and Maharashtra Bhushan (2011). In the July 1964 issue of the National Planning Commission's magazine Yojana, a column asked 'Should we get Jayant back?' He was 26 years old then. Today, that line is just as relevant. Shamim Haque Mondal is a researcher in the Physics Division, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Jayant Narlikar: The Astrophysicist Who Received India's Third-Highest Civilian Award At 26
New Delhi: Astrophysicist Jayant Vishnu Narlikar died aged 87 in Pune on Tuesday. A pioneering figure in Indian science, Mr Narlikar was the founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and a passionate science communicator. Mr Narlikar is survived by his three daughters - Geeta, Girija, and Leelavati, all of whom are involved in scientific research. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the death of Jayant Narlikar is a "monumental loss to the scientific community". "He was a luminary, especially in the field of astrophysics. His pioneering works, especially key theoretical frameworks will be valued by generations of researchers," he posted on X. "He made a mark as an institution builder, grooming centres of learning and innovation for young minds. His writings have also gone a long way in making science accessible to common citizens," PM Modi added. Who Was Jayant Narlikar? Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He spent his early years on the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was Professor and Head of the Mathematics Department. His mother, Sumati Narlikar, was a scholar in Sanskrit. He earned his degree from BHU in 1957. He then moved to Cambridge University for higher education, where he became a Wrangler and won the Tyson Medal in the Mathematical Tripos. He earned multiple degrees from Cambridge: BA in 1960, PhD in 1963, MA in 1964, and ScD in 1976, specialising in astronomy and astrophysics. At Cambridge, he was awarded the Smith's Prize in 1962 and the Adams Prize in 1967. He remained at Cambridge until 1972 as a Fellow of King's College (1963-1972) and a founding staff member of the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy (1966-1972). In 1966, he married Mangala Rajwade, a mathematician with a PhD. They had three daughters. Mr Narlikar returned to India in 1972 to join the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), where he led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group to international prominence. In 1988, he was invited by the University Grants Commission to set up the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune. He served as its founding director until his retirement in 2003. After retiring, he continued as an emeritus professor. Mr Narlikar was internationally renowned for his alternative cosmological theories that challenged the popular Big Bang model. He worked on gravity, Mach's Principle, quantum cosmology, and action-at-a-distance physics. He served as President of the Cosmology Commission of the International Astronomical Union from 1994 to 1997. From 1999 to 2003, he led a space research experiment to collect microorganisms from the upper atmosphere (up to 41 km). The discovery of live cells and bacteria suggested that Earth might be continuously bombarded by microorganisms, hinting at possible extraterrestrial origins of life. Mr Narlikar was a beloved science communicator. He wrote books, articles, and created programmes for radio and TV in English, Marathi, and Hindi. In 1996, UNESCO honoured him with the Kalinga Award for science popularisation. In 1965, at the age of 26, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour. Later, in 2004, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award. He was a Fellow of all three national science academies of India, the Royal Astronomical Society of London, and the Third World Academy of Sciences. At the age of 85, Mr Narlikar started a blog to share his stories about science and life. Today, it has over 3,000 subscribers.
United News of India
20-05-2025
- Science
- United News of India
Noted astrophysicist, science writer Jayant Narlikar dead
Pune, May 20 (UNI) Eminent astrophysicist and science writer Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar died at his residence here on Tuesday following cardiac arrest, family sources a Padma Vibhushan awardee, was 86. He passed away in his sleep. Narlikar was born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur. His father Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar, was a famous mathematician and head of the Mathematics Department of Banaras Hindu University, while his mother Sumati was a Sanskrit scholar. After completing his schooling in Varanasi, Jayant Narlikar obtained a degree in science and then went to Cambridge in the UK for higher education. He completed his PhD degree from Cambridge, and also won the Wrangler degree, Tyson Medal in astronomy, Smith Prize and several other awards. Narlikar drew the attention of scientists around the world by proposing the 'Conformal Gravity Theory' along with Sir Fred Hoyle. He also received India's second and third highest civilian honours, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan respectively for his valuable contribution in the field of astrophysics. He not only contributed as a science researcher but also spread science through his writings. Some of his famous scientific books are 'Antaralatil Bhasmasur', Antarala and Vigyan, Akashashi Jadle Nate and Suryacha Prapok. His Marathi autobiography 'Char Nagarantele Maje Vishwa' won the Delhi Sahitya Akademi Award. He also got the Maharashtra Government Award for his book 'Denagi', the Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature from the American Foundation, and the Rashtra Bhushan Award from the Phi Foundation, Ichalkaranji. UNI SP SSP
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Jayant Narlikar, renowned astrophysicist and Padma Vibhushan, dies at 87
Eminent astrophysicist, science communicator, and Padma Vibhushan recipient Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar passed away in Pune on Tuesday. He was 87. Family members confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his three daughters. According to people aware of the developments in his family, the last rites are likely to be performed on Wednesday. A pioneer in cosmology and the popularisation of science, Narlikar was instrumental in establishing key scientific institutions and nurturing generations of researchers. Born on July 19, 1938, he spent his formative years at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, where his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, served as the Head of the Mathematics department. He later studied at Cambridge University, where he was awarded the Tyson Medal and recognised as a Wrangler for his outstanding performance in the Mathematical Tripos. Also Read: Lessons from a life in mathematics for India's women in science After returning to India, Narlikar joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1972 and led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group until 1989, during which the group gained international recognition. In 1988, the University Grants Commission (UGC) entrusted him with the task of establishing the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) inside the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus in the city. As the founding director, he led IUCAA until his retirement in 2003. The centre has since become a globally respected hub for research and education in astronomy. He continued his association with IUCAA as Emeritus Professor. Dr Narlikar received international acclaim for both his research and science outreach. In 2012, the Third World Academy of Sciences honoured him for creating a centre of excellence in science. Earlier, in 1996, UNESCO awarded him the Kalinga Prize for his contributions to popular science writing and communication. He authored several science books and articles and was known for his engaging science fiction writing. He also reached audiences through television and radio programmes, making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public. Among his many accolades, Narlikar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1965 at the age of just 26. He later received the Padma Vibhushan in 2004. In 2011, the Maharashtra government conferred on him the Maharashtra Bhushan, its highest civilian honour. His autobiography, written in Marathi, received the Sahitya Akademi award in 2014. He was also selected to preside over the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan but was unable to attend the 2021 event in Nashik due to ill health.
