Shri Kulkarni, an Indian-origin scientist, has won the prestigious Gold Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), its highest award recognizing lifetime achievements in astronomy. This honour celebrates his groundbreaking work in discovering pulsars, studying gamma-ray bursts, and advancing multimessenger astronomy. Kulkarni’s contributions have transformed our understanding of the universe’s most energetic events.
The RAS Gold Medal, first awarded in 1824, goes to leaders in astronomy and geophysics, with past winners including Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble, and Stephen Hawking. Since 1964, two medals are given yearly—one for astronomy and one for geophysics—for outstanding research, leadership, or education. The medal features Sir William Herschel’s 40-foot telescope, symbolizing astronomical legacy. Kulkarni joins Indian trailblazers like Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1953), highlighting the diaspora’s global impact.
Kulkarni’s career spans Caltech, where he leads the Palomar Transient Factory, detecting thousands of supernovae and other transients. His pulsar discoveries earned a Nobel Prize share in 1993, and recent work on fast radio bursts has redefined cosmic signals. This 2026 award underscores India’s rising role in space science, amid missions like Aditya-L1 and growing telescope investments.
The win inspires young Indian scientists, proving excellence amid global competition. RAS praised Kulkarni’s “extraordinary lifetime achievement,” positioning him among elite medallists like Vera Rubin (1996), the second woman recipient after Caroline Herschel (1828).
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. What is the RAS Gold Medal?
The highest RAS award since 1824 for astronomy or geophysics achievements, given for research, leadership, or education. Past winners include Einstein and Hawking.
2. Why did Shri Kulkarni receive the medal?
For lifetime work on pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, and multimessenger astronomy, including Nobel-winning pulsar discoveries.
3. Who are notable past Indian RAS Gold Medal winners?
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1953) for stellar evolution; Kulkarni is a modern addition to this elite list.
4. What does the medal design represent?
Features Sir William Herschel’s 40-foot telescope, honouring the RAS’s first president and astronomical heritage.