Thursday, August 15, 2019
Biography of Meghnad Saha:
Meghnad Saha was a renowned Indian astrophysicist known for his significant contributions to the field of astrophysics and atomic physics. He was born on October 6, 1893, in Shaoratoli, a village in the erstwhile Bengal Presidency of British India (now in Bangladesh). Saha's work laid the foundation for the study of stellar spectra and the application of ionization theory to stellar atmospheres.
Early Life and Education:
Meghnad Saha completed his early education in Dhaka, now in Bangladesh.
He graduated with honors in mathematics from the Presidency College in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1913.
Saha continued his studies at the University of Calcutta, where he earned an M.Sc. in applied mathematics in 1915.
 |
| Biography of Meghnad Saha |
Meghnad's Contributions to Science:
In 1919, Saha formulated the famous Saha Ionization Equation, which describes the formation and dissociation of ions in a gas. This equation is fundamental in the field of astrophysics and explains the ionization states of elements in stars.
Saha's work on thermal ionization and the composition of stellar atmospheres greatly influenced the understanding of the physical and chemical conditions in stars.
He played a key role in explaining the origin of stellar spectra and classified the stars based on their spectra.
Saha's ionization equation provided the theoretical explanation for the presence of various elements in the outer layers of stars.
Academic and Scientific Achievements:
Saha served as a professor at the University of Calcutta and later became the Director of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata.
He was instrumental in establishing the Department of Physics at the University of Allahabad.
Saha was elected President of the Indian Science Congress in 1934.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1927.
Later Life and Legacy of Meghnad Saha:
Meghnad Saha was also involved in India's freedom movement and served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India after independence in 1947.
He received numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 1954.
Saha passed away on February 16, 1956, leaving behind a rich legacy in the field of astrophysics and his contributions to scientific research and education in India.
Meghnad Saha's work continues to inspire generations of scientists, and his contributions to astrophysics remain fundamental in the study of stars and stellar spectra.