Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (born 19.10.1910) — American theoretical physicist and astrophysicist, a member of the National Academy of Sciences (1955). Born in Lahore (India). Graduated from Presidency College in Madras (1930). In 1933 — 37 he worked at the University of Cambridge, and from 1937 at the University of Chicago (professor from 1944).
His research was in theoretical astrophysics and magnetohydrodynamics, in particular the study of the structure, evolution and dynamics of stars, the investigation of their atmospheres, hydrodynamic and hydromagnetic stability, calculations of stellar models, the origin of cosmic rays, and space physics.
He developed the theory of the internal structure of white dwarfs, determined the upper limit of their mass (the Chandrasekhar limit), and established the inverse relation between the mass and the radius of white dwarfs. He did much to further the understanding of the internal structure of stars and their atmospheres, and of the dynamics of gravitational interactions between stars in clusters and galaxies.
Member of a number of academies of sciences, in particular the Indian Academy of Sciences. B. Rumford Medal (1957), H. Draper Medal (1971), Royal Medal (1962) and others.