John R. Winckler Explained

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.^{[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] and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.^[6]

Notable awards and distinctions

• 1953 Fellow of the American Physical Society^[18]
• 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]

Notes and References

1. https://archive.today/20130208192854/http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/11599671.html Star Tribune:Obituary: John Winckler, 84, physicist;by: Kavita Kumar; February 8
2. http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/invisible-lights-in-the-sky Invisible Lights in the Sky;David Schneider
3. https://web.archive.org/web/20031208172416/http://www.rps.psu.edu/0309/electric.html Penn State Online:Electric Moments;By Charles Fergus
4. http://www.sky-fire.tv/index.cgi/spritesbluejetselves.html Sprites, Blue Jets, Elves and Superbolts
5. http://scifair.org/news/physics-news/physicists-explain-thunderstorm-sprites.html physicists explain thunderstorm sprites
6. http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10470&page=357 National Academy of Sciences:Biographical Memoirs;V.81;JOHN RANDOLPH WINCKLER;BY KINSEY A. ANDERSON
7. Web site: Array of Contemporary physicists:John Winckler . 2012-01-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305193346/https://www.aip.org/history/acap/biographies/bio.jsp?wincklerj . 2016-03-05 . dead .
8. https://www.nytimes.com/1946/04/19/archives/8-get-princeton-degrees-phd-awarded-to-3-graduate-students-ma-to-5.html&scp=1&sq=%22John%20R.%20Winckler%22&st=cse New York Times:8 GET PRINCETON DEGREES; Ph.D. Awarded to 3 Graduate Students;John Randolph Winckler;April 19, 1946
9. https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0D1EF93D541B728DDDA80A94DC405B818AF1D3&scp=3&sq=%22John%20R.%20Winckler%22&st=cse 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/17/science/science-watch-rare-lightning.html 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1961/11/03/archives/balloon-with-cosmic-ray-gear-from-midwest-found-in-atlantic.html?sq=%2522John%2520R.%2520Winckler%2522&scp=4&st=cse New York Times:Balloon With Cosmic Ray Gear From Midwest Found in Atlantic;November 3, 1961
12. https://www.nytimes.com/1963/12/11/archives/polar-balloons-to-study-space-cosmic-rays-and-northern-lights-to-be.html?sq=%2522John%2520R.%2520Winckler%2522&scp=5&st=cse 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1960/03/23/archives/pioneer-pierced-magnetic-cloud-particles-hit-earth-4-to-8-hours.html?sq=%2522John%2520R.%2520Winckler%2522&scp=6&st=cse 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1960/09/04/archives/25-advisers-named-for-space-agency.html?sq=%2522John%2520R.%2520Winckler%2522&scp=7&st=cse 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1960/04/30/archives/pioneer-v-challenges-theory-on-causes-of-magnetic-storms-pioneer-v.html?sq=%2522John%2520R.%2520Winckler%2522&scp=8&st=cse 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/17/science/new-class-of-lightning-found-high-above-clouds.html?pagewanted=3&src=pm 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. https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/05/archives/science-new-study-of-sun-changes-in-atmosphere-during-low-solar.html SCIENCE NEW STUDY OF SUN; Changes in Atmosphere During Low Solar Activity to Be Examined;By WALTER SULLIVAN;January 05, 1964
18. Web site: APS Fellow Archive. American Physical Society. (search on year=1953 and institution=University of Minnesota)