John R. Winckler




John Randolph Winckler (October 27, 1916 – February 6, 2001) was an American experimental physicist notable for his discovery of sprites in 1989[1][2][3][4][5]
and other discoveries in the fields of solar, magnetospheric, auroral, and atmospheric physics.




First color image of a sprite, taken from an aircraft.


[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
He was also notable for designing new methods and apparatus to collect scientific data from high altitude flying objects such as balloons, rockets, and spacecraft.[6] This data collection led Winckler and his staff to major discoveries, such as: discovering that high-energy electrons accompany auroras.[6]
Winckler was an advisor to NASA,[14] a member of the National Academy of Sciences.[6]



Notable awards and distinctions



  • 1962 American Institute for Aviation and Astronautics, Space Science Award[6]

  • 1965-66 Guggenheim fellow, France[6]

  • 1972 Doctor honoris causa, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France[6]

  • 1978 Arctowski Medal, National Academy of Sciences[6]

  • 1985 Soviet Geophysical Committee International Geophysical Year Commemorative Medal[6]

  • 1991 NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement[6]

  • 1996 Member, the National Academy of Sciences[6][7]



Chronology



  • October 27, 1916, born, North Plainfield, New Jersey

  • 1942: B.S., Rutgers University

  • 1946: Ph.D., Princeton University[6][8]

  • 1946: joins faculty of Princeton University[6]

  • 1949–1986: University of Minnesota, Assistant Professor to Professor of Physics[7]

  • 1986–2001: University of Minnesota, Emeritus Professor of Physics[7]



References





  1. ^ Star Tribune:Obituary: John Winckler, 84, physicist;by: Kavita Kumar; February 8


  2. ^ Invisible Lights in the Sky;David Schneider


  3. ^ Penn State Online:Electric Moments;By Charles Fergus


  4. ^ Sprites, Blue Jets, Elves and Superbolts Archived 2012-01-09 at the Wayback Machine.


  5. ^ physicists explain thunderstorm sprites[permanent dead link]


  6. ^ abcdefghijklm National Academy of Sciences:Biographical Memoirs;V.81;JOHN RANDOLPH WINCKLER;BY KINSEY A. ANDERSON


  7. ^ abcd "Array of Contemporary physicists:John Winckler". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-01-13..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}


  8. ^ ab New York Times:8 GET PRINCETON DEGREES; Ph.D. Awarded to 3 Graduate Students;John Randolph Winckler;April 19, 1946


  9. ^ New York Times:HEAVY PARTICLES FROM SUN CAUGHT; Balloons and Rockets Trap Elements Close to Earth;These developments were described today to a news conference at the National Academy of Sciences by Dr. John R. Winckler of the University of Minnesota.April 21, 1961


  10. ^ New York Times:SCIENCE WATCH; Rare Lightning;July 17, 1990;Scientists from the University of Minnesota say they have made the first image of an uncommon form of lightning flashing between cloud tops and the clear air above


  11. ^ New York Times:Balloon With Cosmic Ray Gear From Midwest Found in Atlantic;November 3, 1961


  12. ^ New York Times:POLAR BALLOONS TO STUDY SPACE; Cosmic Rays and Northern Lights to Be Observed 5,000-Mile Circle Heat Radiation Test;December 11, 1963


  13. ^ New York Times:PIONEER PIERCED MAGNETIC CLOUD; Particles Hit Earth 4 to 8 Hours Later -- Other Data Confirm Electric Ring;By WALTER SULLIVAN;March 23, 1960,


  14. ^ ab New York Times:25 ADVISERS NAMED FOR SPACE AGENCY; The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced today the appointment of twenty-five scientists as consultants in five fields of space science;September 4, 1960


  15. ^ New York Times:Pioneer V Challenges Theory On Causes of Magnetic Storms; Pioneer V Casts Doubts on Magnetic Storm Theory;By WALTER SULLIVAN;April 30, 1960,


  16. ^ New York Times:New Class of Lightning Found High Above Clouds;January 17, 1995;Page 3 of 5;Dr. John R. Winckler, a retired physicist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, was helping a colleague try out a new low-light video camera on a clear summer night


  17. ^ SCIENCE NEW STUDY OF SUN; Changes in Atmosphere During Low Solar Activity to Be Examined;By WALTER SULLIVAN;January 05, 1964,









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