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] and other discoveries in the fields of solar, magnetospheric, auroral, and atmospheric physics.[a]
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[13]
- 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]
Notes
References
- ↑ Kumar, Kavita (2013). "Obituary: John Winckler, 84". Star-Tribune.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Schneider, David (July–August 2000). "Invisible Lights in the Sky". American Scientist. 88 (4): 1. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Fergus, Charles (September 2003). "Electric Moments". Penn State Online Research. 24 (3). Archived from the original on December 8, 2003. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Anderson, Kinsey A. (September 28, 2002). "John Randolph Winckler". National Academy of Sciences: Biographical Memoirs. Vol. 81. Washington: National Academies Press. p. 357. ISBN 0-309-08476-8.
- 1 2 3 4 AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives (2016). "John Winckler". Array of Contemporary Physicists. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- 1 2 Shalett, Sidney (April 19, 1946). "8 Get Princeton Degrees". The New York Times. p. 8.
- ↑ Finney, John W. (April 21, 1961). "Heavy Particles From Sun Caught". The New York Times. p. 14.
- ↑ Franz, Robert C. (July 17, 1990). "Science Watch: Rare Lightning". The New York Times. p. C8.
- ↑ Hudson, Edward (November 3, 1961). "Balloon With Cosmic Ray Gear From Midwest Found in Atlantic". The New York Times. p. 69.
- ↑ "Polar Balloons To Study Space". The New York Times. December 11, 1963. p. 17.
- ↑ Sullivan, Walter (March 23, 1960). "Pioneer Pierced Magnetic Cloud". The New York Times. p. 9.
- 1 2 United Press International (September 4, 1960). "25 Advisers Named For Space Agency". The New York Times. p. 13.
- ↑ "APS Fellow Archive". American Physical Society. (search on year=1953 and institution=University of Minnesota)
Categories:
- 1916 births
- 2001 deaths
- People from North Plainfield, New Jersey
- 20th-century American physicists
- Princeton University alumni
- Rutgers University alumni
- Princeton University faculty
- University of Minnesota faculty
- Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences
- Fellows of the American Physical Society