HOMI JEHANGHIR BHABHA
(1909 - 1966 )
Famous Indian scientist who was instrumental in establishing the Atomic Energy commission in India. Bhabha was born on October 30, 1909 into a wealthy Parsi family. Even as a child he showed interest in science. His father wanted bhabha to become an engineer and sent him abroad for higher studies. But bhabha’s interest like Enrico Fermi and the Austrian Physicist Wolfgang Pauli.
Bhabha made research on cosmic rays. He joined the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Cosmic rays are fast moving, extremely small particles coming from outer space. They were detected first by V.F.Fless in 1912. Cosmic rays are atomic nuclei accelerated to very high energies. They are highly penetrating. When these rays enter the earth’s atmosphere they collide with the atoms in the air and produce showers of electrons. Along with W.Heitler, a German physicist Bhabha solved the mystery surrounding these rays. Bhabha recognized the presence of a new nuclear particle in the showers which he called ‘meson’. In 1940 he retuned to India from England as second world war broke. He was elected fellow of the royal society for his contributions relating to cosmic rays and quantum mechanics.
Due to the concerted efforts of Bhabha Tata institute of fundamental research was set up. He set up this institute with the encouragement of the then. Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru a prestigious centre for research in nuclear physics which later came to be known as the Bhabha Atomic research centre. Bhabha’s interest was to make India, a nuclear powered country. Under his guidance three atomic reactors Apsara, Cirus and Zerlina were built. He was also responsible for the construction of the country’s first atomic poer station at Tarapur. The station began in 1963. Two years later a plutonium plant was installed. He also encouraged research electronics, space science, radio astronomy and microbiology. The radio telescope at Ooty is one of his creations. He was of the attitude tha atom is for peace. He was one of the eminent members of the ‘atom for peace’ conference. It is on 24 January 1966 Bhabha died in an aircrash on his way to attend an international conference. He was 57.
Bhabha was a person of varied interests. He spend his spare time painting and writing poetry. He was fond of western classical music. He was a first class painter. His pencil sketches are famous. Few paintings of Bhabha are still preserved in British art galleries.
Homi Bhabha was a bachelor. He was once asked if he was married. ‘Yes’ he replied and then siling he added, ‘to creativity.’
Famous Indian scientist who was instrumental in establishing the Atomic Energy commission in India. Bhabha was born on October 30, 1909 into a wealthy Parsi family. Even as a child he showed interest in science. His father wanted bhabha to become an engineer and sent him abroad for higher studies. But bhabha’s interest like Enrico Fermi and the Austrian Physicist Wolfgang Pauli.
Bhabha made research on cosmic rays. He joined the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Cosmic rays are fast moving, extremely small particles coming from outer space. They were detected first by V.F.Fless in 1912. Cosmic rays are atomic nuclei accelerated to very high energies. They are highly penetrating. When these rays enter the earth’s atmosphere they collide with the atoms in the air and produce showers of electrons. Along with W.Heitler, a German physicist Bhabha solved the mystery surrounding these rays. Bhabha recognized the presence of a new nuclear particle in the showers which he called ‘meson’. In 1940 he retuned to India from England as second world war broke. He was elected fellow of the royal society for his contributions relating to cosmic rays and quantum mechanics.
Due to the concerted efforts of Bhabha Tata institute of fundamental research was set up. He set up this institute with the encouragement of the then. Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru a prestigious centre for research in nuclear physics which later came to be known as the Bhabha Atomic research centre. Bhabha’s interest was to make India, a nuclear powered country. Under his guidance three atomic reactors Apsara, Cirus and Zerlina were built. He was also responsible for the construction of the country’s first atomic poer station at Tarapur. The station began in 1963. Two years later a plutonium plant was installed. He also encouraged research electronics, space science, radio astronomy and microbiology. The radio telescope at Ooty is one of his creations. He was of the attitude tha atom is for peace. He was one of the eminent members of the ‘atom for peace’ conference. It is on 24 January 1966 Bhabha died in an aircrash on his way to attend an international conference. He was 57.
Bhabha was a person of varied interests. He spend his spare time painting and writing poetry. He was fond of western classical music. He was a first class painter. His pencil sketches are famous. Few paintings of Bhabha are still preserved in British art galleries.
Homi Bhabha was a bachelor. He was once asked if he was married. ‘Yes’ he replied and then siling he added, ‘to creativity.’
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