Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, often referred to as Chandra, was an Indian-American astrophysicist whose groundbreaking work on the structure and evolution of stars revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos. His discovery of the Chandrasekhar Limit laid the foundation for modern astrophysics, influencing research on black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs. Despite facing significant professional challenges, his perseverance and intellect earned him a place among the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century.
Early Life and Family
Born on October 19, 1910, in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan), Chandrasekhar was the son of C. Subrahmanyan Ayyar, a government official, and Sitalakshmi Balakrishnan. He hailed from a family of intellectuals—his uncle was the renowned physicist C. V. Raman, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on light scattering. From a young age, Chandrasekhar exhibited exceptional mathematical and scientific aptitude, encouraged by his parents to pursue his curiosity.
Academic Journey and the Chandrasekhar Limit
Chandrasekhar’s academic journey began at Presidency College in Madras (now Chennai), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physics in 1930. That same year, he traveled to England to pursue further studies at the University of Cambridge under the guidance of Sir Ralph Fowler. During a fateful voyage to England, he formulated his revolutionary theory about the upper mass limit of white dwarfs, later known as the Chandrasekhar Limit (approximately 1.4 times the mass of the Sun). This discovery suggested that stars exceeding this mass threshold would collapse into neutron stars or black holes instead of stabilizing as white dwarfs.
Despite the significance of his findings, Chandrasekhar faced fierce opposition from prominent astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington, who publicly ridiculed his work. This setback deeply affected him, but he persisted, eventually gaining recognition for his contributions years later.
Career and Major Achievements
In 1937, Chandrasekhar joined the University of Chicago, where he remained for nearly six decades. He played a pivotal role in astrophysics, studying various stellar phenomena, fluid dynamics, and general relativity. His research extended beyond white dwarfs, encompassing the physics of black holes, stellar structure, and radiation transfer.
In 1952, he became an American citizen, further cementing his influence in the scientific community. His notable works include Principles of Stellar Dynamics (1942), Radiative Transfer (1950), and The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes (1983), each contributing significantly to the field of astrophysics.
In 1983, Chandrasekhar received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theoretical studies on the structure and evolution of stars, finally receiving the recognition he had long deserved.
Personal Life and Challenges
Chandrasekhar married Lalitha Doraiswamy in 1936, and she remained his steadfast companion and supporter throughout his life. Despite his brilliance, Chandrasekhar endured professional struggles, particularly the early rejection of his white dwarf theory. However, he remained dedicated to his research, demonstrating resilience and an unwavering commitment to scientific truth.
Legacy and Impact
Chandrasekhar’s contributions continue to shape astrophysics today. His work paved the way for modern black hole physics, gravitational wave research, and stellar evolution theories. NASA honored him by naming the Chandra X-ray Observatory after him in 1999, a testament to his lasting influence on astronomy.
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar passed away on August 21, 1995, but his legacy endures. His perseverance in the face of adversity, groundbreaking discoveries, and intellectual rigor serve as an inspiration to scientists worldwide. Through his work, he illuminated the mysteries of the stars, ensuring his place among the luminaries of astrophysics.