Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, one of the most influential astrophysicists of the 20th century, remains a towering figure in global science for his pioneering research on stellar evolution. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983, his work on the structure and fate of stars reshaped modern astrophysics and continues to guide scientific inquiry.
Born on October 19, 1910, in Lahore (then British India, now in Pakistan), Chandrasekhar displayed early brilliance in mathematics and physics. He pursued higher studies at Cambridge University, where he formulated what is now known as the Chandrasekhar Limit—the maximum mass (about 1.4 times that of the Sun) a white dwarf star can have before collapsing into a denser object such as a neutron star or black hole.
Although initially met with skepticism—including criticism from leading physicist Sir Arthur Eddington—his theory was later vindicated through astronomical observations and became a cornerstone of stellar physics.
Chandrasekhar spent most of his professional career in the United States, primarily at the University of Chicago, where he taught and conducted research for over five decades. His contributions spanned multiple fields, including general relativity, fluid dynamics, and radiative transfer. His scholarly output included several landmark books, such as The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes.
In recognition of his contributions, NASA named its third Great Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, after him in 1999. The observatory has since provided critical insights into black holes, supernovae, and high-energy cosmic phenomena, ensuring that his legacy continues to shape present-day research.
Chandrasekhar was honored with numerous awards, including the Royal Medal (1962), the National Medal of Science (1966), and the Nobel Prize in Physics (1983), which he shared with American physicist William Fowler.
He passed away on August 21, 1995, in Chicago, leaving behind a legacy that underscores the importance of perseverance in scientific discovery. His life also serves as a testament to the contributions of Indian-origin scientists to global knowledge.
At a time when India is strengthening its space research programs and investing in astrophysics, Chandrasekhar’s journey—from a young student in colonial India to a Nobel laureate shaping modern astronomy—remains both timely and inspirational.
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Last Updated on: Friday, October 3, 2025 3:26 pm by News Pixel Team | Published by: News Pixel Team on Friday, October 3, 2025 3:26 pm | News Categories: India
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