Ashesh Prosad Mitra

Ashesh Prosad Mitra (21 February 1927 - 3 September 2007) was a physicist who headed the National Physics Laboratory in Delhi, India. He is primarily known for his work on environmental physics.

He was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Physical Science in 1968. The citation read: "Dr Mitra is one of the acknowledged authorities on ionosphere and on some aspects of space research. His pioneering work on the use of cosmic radio noise for upper atmosphere studies resulted in a whole series of scientific discoveries in ionosphere, solar physics and cosmic rays. He has carried out comprehensive studies on the ionospheric effects of solar flares and has established one of the most extensive radio flare systems at the National Physical Laboratory. He developed an atmospheric model from observations of satellite drag and initiated new D region rocket experiments. Dr Mitra’s work on ion and neutral chemistry in the upper atmosphere, especially on the minor constituent nitric oxide, provided the basis for much of our present knowledge about the lower ionosphere. He has contributed substantially to the establishment and operation of the International Spacewarn System and the International Ursi-gramme and World Day Service. ^[1]

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1988.

References

• Mitra, A.N (November 2007). "Ashesh Prosad Mitra (1927–2007)" (PDF). Current Science. 93 (9): 1314–1315. Retrieved 2008-07-10.