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
5. physicists explain thunderstorm sprites
6. National Academy of Sciences:Biographical Memoirs;V.81;JOHN RANDOLPH WINCKLER;BY KINSEY A. ANDERSON
7. Array of Contemporary physicists:John Winckler
8. 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. 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,