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] and other discoveries in the fields of solar, magnetospheric, auroral, and atmospheric physics.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][excessive citations] 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.[4] This data collection led Winckler and his staff to major discoveries, such as: discovering that high-energy electrons accompany auroras.[4] Winckler was an advisor to NASA,[12] and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.[4]
Notable awards and distinctions
- 1953 Fellow of the American Physical Society[16]
- 1962 American Institute for Aviation and Astronautics, Space Science Award[4]
- 1965-66 Guggenheim fellow, France[4]
- 1972 Doctor honoris causa, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France[4]
- 1978 Arctowski Medal, National Academy of Sciences[4]
- 1985 Soviet Geophysical Committee International Geophysical Year Commemorative Medal[4]
- 1991 NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement[4]
- 1996 Member, the National Academy of Sciences[4][5]
Chronology
- October 27, 1916, born, North Plainfield, New Jersey
- 1942: B.S., Rutgers University
- 1946: Ph.D., Princeton University[4][6]
- 1946: joins faculty of Princeton University[4]
- 1949–1986: University of Minnesota, assistant professor to professor of physics[5]
- 1986–2001: University of Minnesota, emeritus professor of physics[5]
References
- ^ Star Tribune:Obituary: John Winckler, 84, physicist;by: Kavita Kumar; February 8
- ^ Invisible Lights in the Sky;David Schneider
- ^ Penn State Online:Electric Moments;By Charles Fergus
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m National Academy of Sciences:Biographical Memoirs;V.81;JOHN RANDOLPH WINCKLER;BY KINSEY A. ANDERSON
- ^ a b c d "Array of Contemporary physicists:John Winckler". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
- ^ a b New York Times:8 GET PRINCETON DEGREES; Ph.D. Awarded to 3 Graduate Students;John Randolph Winckler;April 19, 1946
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ New York Times:Balloon With Cosmic Ray Gear From Midwest Found in Atlantic;November 3, 1961
- ^ 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
- ^ 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,
- ^ a b 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
- ^ 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,
- ^ 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
- ^ SCIENCE NEW STUDY OF SUN; Changes in Atmosphere During Low Solar Activity to Be Examined;By WALTER SULLIVAN;January 05, 1964,
- ^ "APS Fellow Archive". American Physical Society. (search on year=1953 and institution=University of Minnesota)
