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

and other discoveries in the fields of solar, magnetospheric, auroral, and atmospheric physics.

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. This data collection led Winckler and his staff to major discoveries, such as: discovering that high-energy electrons accompany auroras. Winckler was an advisor to NASA, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Notable awards and distinctions

1953 Fellow of the American Physical Society

1962 American Institute for Aviation and Astronautics, Space Science Award

1965-66 Guggenheim fellow, France

1972 Doctor honoris causa, Universite Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France

1978 Arctowski Medal, National Academy of Sciences

1985 Soviet Geophysical Committee International Geophysical Year Commemorative Medal 1991 NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement 1996 Member, the National Academy of Sciences

Chronology

October 27, 1916, born, North Plainfield, New Jersey

1942: B.S., Rutgers University

1946: Ph.D., Princeton University

1946: joins faculty of Princeton University

1949–1986: University of Minnesota, assistant professor to professor of physics

1986–2001: University of Minnesota, emeritus professor of physics

References

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