Richard Dowden (scientist)
Richard Lindsay Dowden (1932–2016), sometimes known as Dick Dowden, was an Australian-born New Zealand-resident scientist and researcher, and a recognised authority within the fields of geo- and astrophysics.[1]
Education
[edit]Dowden was educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview and later studied science at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in 1955.[1] He subsequently undertook research studies with the University of Tasmania, graduating with a Master of Science in 1959, a PhD in 1965, and a Doctor of Science in 1975.[2]
Career
[edit]Dowden served as a scientist with the Radiophysics Division of the CSIRO, as a scientist on Macquarie Island, and as a scientist with the Ionic Prediction Service in Hobart.[1] He served as an academic with the University of Tasmania and Otago University, where he was appointed Beverly Professor of Physics.[1] In the course of his career, Dowden made numerous research journeys to both the Arctic and Antarctic regions.[1]
The research from Dowden was extensive. Areas of research included electromagnetic theory and detection techniques, the polarity and longitude of the dipole axis of Jupiter, very low frequency emissions, the dynamic spectral shape of electrons in electromagnetic radiation, high frequency ionospheric sounders; very low frequency modulation of the auroral electrojet; detection and interpretation of red sprites; invention of the dynagraph; and Jupiter polarmetrics.[1]
Dowden authored or co-authored some 119 scientific monographs.[1]
Recognition
[edit]The work of Richard Dowden was recognised with the awards of the Michaelis Medal, the Sidey Medal, and the Australian Antarctic Division Medal. Dowden was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Physics, a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union.[1] The Otago Daily Times, in its obituary for Dowden, described him as an "award-winning researcher" and an "influential teacher".[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Obituaries:
"Obituary: Award-winning researcher, influential teacher". Otago Daily Times Online News. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- Department of Physics. "Obituary: Emeritus Professor Richard Dowden". University of Otago. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- Rodger, C. J.; Thomson, N. R. (2017). "In Memoriam: Richard L. Dowden". URSI Radio Science Bulletin. 2017 (360): 92–93. doi:10.23919/URSIRSB.2017.8113171 (inactive 19 September 2024).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of September 2024 (link)
- ^ "Graduate Verification Service - University of Tasmania, Australia". University of Tasmania. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
- 1932 births
- 2016 deaths
- Scientists from Dunedin
- University of Sydney alumni
- University of Tasmania alumni
- Academic staff of the University of Tasmania
- Academic staff of the University of Otago
- People educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview
- Australian astrophysicists
- Australian geophysicists
- Australian people of Greek descent
- Greek emigrants to New Zealand
- Australian emigrants to New Zealand
- Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand
- CSIRO people
- Fellows of the American Geophysical Union
- 20th-century New Zealand physicists
- 20th-century Australian physicists
- 21st-century New Zealand physicists