Eugene Newman Parker

Eugene Newman Parker, the leading figure in heliospheric physics for past half century, died of complications Parkinson’s disease on 15 March 2022 Chicago. Among other distinctions, he was first individual to be honored by having a NASA mission—the Parker Solar Probe—named after him while still living.Eugene ParkerCOURTESY OF ERIC PARKERPPT|High resolutionParker born 10 June 1927 Houghton, Michigan, Upper Peninsula. By time seven, and his family were living suburban Detroit. As teen, bought tax-delinquent property woods Cheboygan County, 300 miles north For three summers younger brother commuted bicycle camped out they built log cabin, which uses. That captures spirit man who our colleague so many decades.Parker earned undergraduate degree from Michigan State University 1948 PhD 1951 Caltech. In abstract thesis, done under supervision Howard Robertson Leverett Davis, wrote, “From inadequacies this non-magnetic theory, one concludes that magnetic fields must play very significant role dynamics interstellar medium.” prescient sentence foreshadowed career devoted studying phenomena throughout universe. His thesis few papers we could find did not have Maxwell’s equations it.From Caltech, moved Utah, where an instructor then assistant professor. Walter Elsasser, trailblazer dynamo theory Earth’s field, had brought but with connections, also attention John Simpson, pioneer space cosmic-ray physics, recruited Chicago 1955.By 1962 full professor at Chicago, spent rest career, retiring 1995 as Chandrasekhar Distinguished Service Professor. Along way chaired department (1970–72) astronomy astrophysics (1972–78), latter during rebuilding phase when mentored David Schramm, followed chair. provided both us wise counsel chairs same department. We best remember admonition spend little possible chair’s office.Most more than 400 wrote single authored. most famous 1958 Astrophysical Journal paper predicted solar wind spiral nature interplanetary field. The revolutionary, it greeted way. reviewer said, “Well I would suggest go library read up subject before tries write about it, because is utter nonsense.” second wasn’t any positive.Although journal’s editor Parker’s lifelong Subrahmanyan unconvinced idea, couldn’t flaw math, overrode reviewers published paper. A year later Soviet Union’s Luna 1 detected solar-wind particles, detection confirmed NASA’s Mariner 2 1962. evidence basic picture completed 2012 Voyager left bubble created Sun’s wind—the heliosphere.That experience likely led advice often gave young researchers: “If you do something new or innovative, expect trouble. But think critically if you’re wrong, want know that.” never coauthored students, instead urging them independent.Parker’s seminal ideas origin cosmical—his favorite term—magnetic fast plasma outflows, rapid dissipation field energy, structure magnetized shock waves, diffusion high-energy charged particles known cosmic rays permeated understanding astrophysical magnetism 60 years.Parker humble, straightforward, wise. humility illustrated email exchange son Eric, “My sister Joyce didn’t get real feel what ‘big dog’ dad field.” They got even better sense month death, traveled Lund, Sweden, accept behalf Crafoord Prize Astronomy awarded 2020. Other major honors included National Medal Science 1989, Gold Royal Astronomical Society 1992, Kyoto 2003.It fitting Probe, mission “to touch Sun” understand million-degree corona, named honor. words Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator Mission Directorate, “The heliophysics exists large part Dr. Parker.” He attended launch 12 August 2018 Cape Canaveral, Florida, shortly died, scientists shared some early results him.© American Institute Physics.