Mihalas Dimitri
Position: Faculty, Los Alamos National Laboratory PhD: 1963, Dept. of Astronomy, California Institute of Technology, USA Thesis: Model atmosphere studies of early type stars Supervisor(s): Oke John Beverly Biography: Dimitri M. Mihalas (1939 - 2013) Dimitri Mihalas died on Thursday the 21st of November 2013. World-renowned astrophysicist Dimitri Mihalas passed away in his sleep at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on November 21, 2013. Dr. Mihalas retired from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign in 1999 and from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2012. Dimitri, to his friends and family, has donated his body to the University of New Mexico Medical School and his library to New Mexico Tech. Dimitri was born on March 20, 1939 in Los Angeles, California where he grew up. He received his B.A., with Highest Honors, in three majors, Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy, from the University of California at Los Angeles at age 20. Four years later he received his Ph.D. in Astronomy and Physics from the California Institute of Technology. He was a pioneer in computational astrophysics, and has remained a world leader in the fields of radiation transport, radiation hydrodynamics, and astrophysical quantitative spectroscopy for decades. His broad knowledge and immense contributions earned him election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1981 at age 42. Dimitri had an exceptional record of work. He published more than 150 papers and technical reports, authored or co-authored eight books, and co-edited three others. Three of his books have been used as textbooks for both undergraduate and graduate students worldwide and have been translated into other languages, including Russian. His book Foundations of Radiation Hydrodynamics has become the “bible” of the radiation hydrodynamics community. Dimitri wrote his Ph.D. thesis on theoretical modelings for hydrogen and helium line strengths and profiles in O-stars. He interpreted the observational data with the best theoretical analysis possible at the time. The models were computed using the then prevailing simplifying approximation of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). As shown by its high number of citations, this work, primitive by todays standards, had a major impact on the field. After joining the faculty of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University, Dimitri undertook new analyses of stellar abundances, devised a method for constructing a constant-flux atmosphere with convection in the full transport (not diffusion) regime, computed the first line-blanketed spectrum of a hot B star which showed that continuum- only models overestimated the effective temperature by 10% (hence luminosity by 40%), and computed a sample of H line-blanketed models accounting for the distortion of the continuum by the confluence of the hydrogen Balmer lines near 3650Å. Dimitri realized that the widely accepted approximation of LTE in stellar atmospheres is inadequate, so he undertook a major initiative to solve the analogous non-LTE problem. This is an exceptionally difficult problem owing to the need to solve self-consistently a set of coupled, highly nonlinear effects. Only the highly idealized case of a two-level atom with a single line and two continua had been solved previously. After several preliminary explorations of methodology with Auer, they reformulated the non-LTE stellar atmosphere problem in a completely original manner; applying the Newton- Raphson technique to the full nonlinear system, and iterating to convergence. This method was a breakthrough in the field – it revolutionized all further work on computing stellar atmospheres. Through his idea of “variable Eddington factors,” the method was made even more efficient. With this new methodology, Dimitri constructed an extensive, widely cited, sample of non-LTE models for hot stars, and used them to evaluate the effects of departures from LTE on observable stellar line and continuum indices. These results allowed Mihalas and Auer to perform several critical studies which were not previously possible, achieving for the first time good agreement between the computed and observed strengths of the hydrogen and helium lines, and surface gravities consistent with the stars observed masses and element abundances obtained from nebular analyses. This work has been widely cited, both for the quality of fit to observations, as well as a “gold standard” for verification of present-day calculations using much faster iterative methods. Work with Hummer led to the discovery of the physical mechanism producing the emission the N III emission lines at wavelengths 4634 – 4650Å in O((f)) stars. In the 1970s, Dimitri devised the now standard method for solving the line-transfer problem in expanding spherical atmospheres in the comoving frame. This work was summarized in the heavily cited 2nd edition of his textbook Stellar Atmospheres, which remains the standard in the field even after 25 years. A third edition (with I. Hubeny) which describes modern fast, iterative methods to solve the transfer equation, including realistic line-blanketing, is in press. In the period 1981 – 1998, as a consultant to LANL, Dimitri gave lectures on radiation hydrodynamics, for which, he received a number of “Certificate of Appreciation” by X-Division for “Outstanding Service to the Applied Theoretical Division”. In 1984 Dimitri completed the above-mentioned Foundations of Radiation Hydrodynamics. In 1999 Dover Publications reprinted it in inexpensive paperbound form at the urging of many scientists from LANL, LLNL, NRL, and the academic community. In the period 1987 – 1994 Dimitri worked with Anderson, Hummer, and B. Mihalas on the development of a modern EOS code for stellar envelopes, in support of the large British – American Opacity Project (OP) led by Professor M. J. Seaton. It emerged that the OP results are in excellent agreement (better than 10%) with the independent LLNL OPAL computations. These new opacity data significantly impact stellar evolution calculations, and have helped resolve several previous discrepancies between calculation and observation, especially with the interpretation of Cepheid variable pulsations. Jointly with Stone, Dimitri showed that the computational oscillations or diffusion, typically found in numerical simulations of a propagating radiation front in vacuum, could be eliminated by using upwind monotonic interpolation methods. They (and M. Norman) also collaborated on incorporating 2-D radiative transfer in the radiation magnetohydrodynamics code ZEUS 2-D developed at the University of Illinois and extensively used by astrophysicists. In collaboration with K.-H. Winkler and M. Norman, Dimitri developed novel implicit adaptive grid methods to solve 1-D radiation hydrodynamics problems having multiple time and space scales ranging over many orders of magnitude. Dimitri derived the “adaptive-grid transport theorem” rigorously. In 1994 – 1997, Dimitri developed TITAN, a 1-D implicit adaptive-grid code. In collaboration with Cheng at Los Alamos, Dimitri used TITAN to compute the best-ever numerical solution of the infamous Noh stagnating shock problem in planar, cylindrical, and spherical geometry. In 1999, in collaboration with Gehmeyr, and Sincell, Dimitri studied the famous Zeldovich and Heaslet/Baldwin supercritical shock problem and was able to compute the first numerical solutions for this problem. Also in the same year, Dimitri and Auer wrote “An X-6 Radiation Hydrodynamics Primer” intended for LANL use, and in 2001 they published an incisive discussion on exact relativistic laboratory-frame radiation hydrodynamics. Dimitri was honored for his many scientific contributions at the International Conference in Honor of Dimitri Mihalas for his Lifetime Scientific Contributions on the Occasion of his 70th Birthday held in Boulder, CO in late March 2009. In addition to his many scientific contributions, he also published several collections of his poetry and other writings. These other writings include "A Primer on Depression and Bipolar Disorder" and "Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Spiritual Growth." These books have had as profound an impact as his professional textbooks and articles. Throughout his long career, Dimitri gave generously of himself to all with whom he interacted. As an advisor, role model, confidant, and friend, he saw each person as an individual, acknowledging strengths, helping overcome weaknesses, giving encouragement, and enthusiastically praising their success. He touched the lives and careers of many students and colleagues and has left a lasting legacy to be cherished by those who knew him. Reprinted with permission from Physics Today. Baolian Cheng, LANL, Los Alamos, NM John Castor, LLNL, Livermore, CA Jim Stone, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Mihos Chris
Position: Faculty, Case Western Reserve University PhD: 1992, Dept. of Astronomy, Univ. of Michigan, USA Thesis: Models of star formation in interacting and merging disk galaxies Supervisor(s): Richstone Douglas Biography:
Millas Dimitrios
Position: Postdoc, University College London PhD: 2019, Department of Mathematics, Plasma-astrophysics Section, KU Leuven, Belgium Thesis: On the stability and evolution of relativistic astrophysical jets Supervisor(s): Keppens Rony Biography:
Misiriotis Angelos
Position: Postdoc, University of Crete PhD: 2001, Dept. of Physics, University of Crete, Greece Thesis: Μορφολογία και δυναμική σπειροειδών γαλαξιών Supervisor(s): Kylafis Nikolaos Biography: Angelos Misiriotis was born in Athens (Greece) on November 6, 1971. He obtained his BSc in Physics from the University of Patras in 1995 and his PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics in 2001, from the Dept. of Physics of the University of Crete, under the supervision of Prof. Nick Kylafis. During his PhD studies he spent two years at the Observatory of Marseille, where he collaborated with Dr. Lia Athanassoula and her group. His research interests included the morphology and dynamics of spiral galaxies and until his passing away on January 4, 2008 at the age of 37, he had published 12 refereed papers in these areas. He is survived by his wife Anastasia and his children Nestor and Iro.
Mislis Dimitrios
Position: Researcher, Quatar Foundation PhD: 2010, Observatory, University of Hamburg, Germany Thesis: Theory and applications for transiting extrasolar planets Supervisor(s): Schmitt Jurgen Biography:
Mitsakou Eleftheria
Position: Private Sector PhD: 2014, Dept. of Physics, University of Athens, Greece Thesis: Study of solar eruptive phenomena using in-situ data from spacecraft and ground stations Supervisor(s): Moussas Xenophon Biography:
Moraitis George
Position: Researcher, National Observatory of Athens PhD: 1969, Dept. of Physics, University of Athens, Greece Thesis: Study of the sproradicionispheric E-layer at mid latitudes Supervisor(s): Anastassiades Michael Biography:
Moraitis Konstantinos
Position: Postdoc, University of Ioannina PhD: 2013, Dept. of Physics, University of Athens, Greece Thesis: Χ- and γ-ray flares from the acceleration and emission of charged particles in AGN jets Supervisor(s): Mastichiadis Apostolos Biography:
Moschou Sofia-Paraskevi
Position: Postdoc, Quantiphi PhD: 2016, Department of Mathematics, Plasma-astrophysics Section, KU Leuven, Belgium Thesis: Dynamics of the solar atmosphere and solar wind modeling Supervisor(s): Keppens Rony - Pierrard Viviane Biography: https://exoplanets.cfa.harvard.edu/people/sofia-paraskevi-moschou
Mountrichas George
Position: Postdoc, Universidad de Cantabria PhD: 2008, Dept. of Physics, Durham University, United Kingdom Thesis: QSOs and galaxies: lensing, clustering and redshift-space distortions Supervisor(s): Shanks Thomas Biography: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Georgios_Mountrichas
Mouschovias Telemachos
Position: Faculty, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign PhD: 1975, Dept. of Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, USA Thesis: Static equilibria of the interstellar gas in the presence of magnetic and gravitational fields Supervisor(s): Field George Biography: Professor Mouschovias received his bachelor degree in physics from Yale University in 1968, and his Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1975. He joined the University of Illinois as an assistant professor of physics and astronomy in 1977. The long-term goal of Professor Mouschovias research has been to decipher the role of cosmic magnetic fields in the formation of stars. He and his graduate students have made seminal contributions in the field, including the resolution of the angular momentum problem (through magnetic braking) and of the central role of ambipolar diffusion in the fragmentation of molecular clouds and star formation, including the determination of the protostellar "initial mass function". His research group made pioneering contributions to our understanding the role of interstellar dust in star formation, not only in determining the degree of ionization in evolving molecular clouds, but also in directly (through collisions) or indirectly (through induced electric fields) coupling the magnetic field to the predominantly neutral matter.
Moussas Xenophon
Position: Faculty, University of Athens PhD: 1977, Dept. of Physics, University of Athens, Greece Thesis: A study of the cosmic rays and the sttructure of the interplanetary space during the August 1972 event Supervisor(s): Apostolakis Alcibiades - Caroubalos Constantin Biography: Professor Emeritus of Space Physics at the University of Athens (since 1996). He was born in Athens, Greece, on the 6th of March, 1947. He obtained his B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Athens (1971) and his Ph.D. in Cosmic Rays and Space Physics from the same University in 1977. He worked for four years as scientific collaborator at the University of Athens (1971-1974), as a Research Fellow (1974-1975) and as Research Assistant (1975-1977) at the Imperial College, U.K., as Assistant (1978), Chief Assistant (1979), Lecturer (1982) and Assistant Professor of Space Physics (1986) at the Department of Physics of the University of Athens, Greece. He joined for three months each year as visiting Research Fellow the Imperial College (1978-1995), and the University of Mexico as Visiting professor for 3 monthly periods. He has been elected Director of the Section of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics, Department of Physics of the University of Athens (2004), Director of the Laboratory of Astrophysics (two periods of two years), Member of the senate of the University of Athens (one year), deputy Chairman of the Department of Physics (two years), head of the Space Physics Group, head of the career’s office of the Department of Physics. He has been awarded with the American Geophysical Union "Excellence in refereeing" in Space Physics, Geophysical Research Letters, 2001. His scientific interests include Space physics (STEREO mission -NASA, Ulysses mission, the heliosphere in 3 D, Cosmic ray modulation and the heliosphere, co-investigator WAVES experiments on-board both spacecraft of the STEREO NASA mission and team member of WIND/waves experiment, NASA), Magnetospheric studies (Mars ionosphere and magnetosphere), Solar physics (ARTEMIS IV Digital Radio Spectrograph, 7 m diameter, at Thermopylae, Greece, a French-Greek collaboration, Non-linear RLC model of the solar cycle), Stellar winds/astrophysical flows, Plasma Physics, Space physics, History of Astronomy. He has been reviewer of the European Science Foundation. He was among the scientists who constructed and operate the Franco-Hellenic solar radio spectrograph ARTEMIS (at Thermopylae), which observes the Sun in radio frequencies ranging from 20 to 650 MHz, receiving 110 spectra every second. His scientific group participates in several experiments on board various spacecrafts (Ulysses, Wind, STEREO I & II). He is a member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), of the American Geophysical Union, of the Hellenic Physical Society and a founding member of the Hellenic Astronomical Society (Hel.A.S.). He has been member of the Administrative Council of Hel.A.S. and editor of the magazine of this Society (Hipparchos). He has published more than 58 articles in international journals, several chapters or articles in books, several book reviews and a large number of articles in popular science magazines (in Greek). He has great interest to outreach and science popularization. He studies the oldest known astronomical instrument, that has Hipparchos mathematical signature, the Antikythera Mechanism, an analogue computer of the 2nd century BC, with marvellous functions that predicts eclipses and Lunar motions with a good approximation of Keplers 2nd law. He has created many exhibitions and has delivered many public lectures concerning this device in several countries (in Museums, Planetaria, UNESCO and The Library of Alexandria). Main Textbooks: 1) Space Physics, Greek Open University, Patras, 2003, 2) Notes for the students: Space physics (with one co-author), 3) Introduction to Astrophysics (six co-authors), 4) Laboratory Exercises in Astrophysics (10 co- authors), University of Athens.
Moustakas Leonidas
Position: Researcher, Jet Propulsion Laboratory PhD: 1998, Dept. of Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley, USA Thesis: Galaxy evolution from deep optical and near-infrared surveys Supervisor(s): Davis Marc Biography:
Moutsoulas Michael
Position: Faculty, University of Athens PhD: 1967, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manchester, United Kingdom Thesis: Physical libration of the moon Supervisor(s): Kopal Zdenek Biography: Michael D. Moutsoulas (1936-1995) Professor of the Department of Geology, University of Athens, Greece (born 1936). He got his B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Athens, Greece and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Manchester, U.K. He had worked as Researcher at the University of Manchester, Assistant Professor of Astronomy at the University of Athens, Greece (1972-1982), Director of the Space Center of the Civil Aviation of Greece, and as member of many scientific groups of COSPAR and NASA. He has been vice-director of the scientific journals “Astrophysics and Space Science” and “The Moon and the Planets”. He had published many papers on Celestial Mechanics and Telemetry.
Myserlis Ioannis
Position: Postdoc, IRAM PhD: 2015, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bonn, Germany Thesis: A framework for the study of physical conditions in astrophysical plasmas through radio and optical polarization - Application to extragalactic jets Supervisor(s): Angelakis Emmanouil - Zensus Anton Biography:
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