Chushiro Hayashi
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese astrophysicist. Hayashi track
s on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram are named after him.
He earned his B.Sc in physics
at the Imperial University of Tokyo
in 1942. He then worked as a research associate under Hideki Yukawa
at Kyoto University
. He made additions to the big bang nucleosynthesis model that built upon the work of the classic Alpher-Bethe-Gamow paper
.
Probably his most famous work was the astrophysical calculations that led to the Hayashi track
s of star formation, and the Hayashi limit
that puts a limit on star radius.
He was also involved in the early study of Brown dwarf
s, some of the smallest stars formed.
He retired in 1984.
He won the Eddington Medal
in 1970, the Kyoto Prize
in 1995, and the Bruce Medal
in 2004.
Chushiro Hayashi died from pneumonia
at a Kyoto hospital on February 28, 2010.
Hayashi track
The Hayashi track is a path taken by protostars in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram after the protostellar cloud has reached approximate hydrostatic equilibrium...
s on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram are named after him.
He earned his B.Sc in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the Imperial University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
in 1942. He then worked as a research associate under Hideki Yukawa
Hideki Yukawa
né , was a Japanese theoretical physicist and the first Japanese Nobel laureate.-Biography:Yukawa was born in Tokyo and grew up in Kyoto. In 1929, after receiving his degree from Kyoto Imperial University, he stayed on as a lecturer for four years. After graduation, he was interested in...
at Kyoto University
Kyoto University
, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
. He made additions to the big bang nucleosynthesis model that built upon the work of the classic Alpher-Bethe-Gamow paper
Alpher-Bethe-Gamow paper
In physical cosmology, the Alpher–Bethe–Gamow paper, or αβγ paper, was created by Ralph Alpher, then a physics PhD student, and his advisor George Gamow. The work, which would become the subject of Alpher's PhD dissertation, argued that the Big Bang would create hydrogen, helium and heavier...
.
Probably his most famous work was the astrophysical calculations that led to the Hayashi track
Hayashi track
The Hayashi track is a path taken by protostars in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram after the protostellar cloud has reached approximate hydrostatic equilibrium...
s of star formation, and the Hayashi limit
Hayashi limit
Hayashi limit is a constraint upon the maximum radius of a star for a given mass. When a star is fully within hydrostatic equilibrium—a condition where the inward force of gravity is matched by the outward pressure of the gas—then the star can not exceed the radius defined by the...
that puts a limit on star radius.
He was also involved in the early study of Brown dwarf
Brown dwarf
Brown dwarfs are sub-stellar objects which are too low in mass to sustain hydrogen-1 fusion reactions in their cores, which is characteristic of stars on the main sequence. Brown dwarfs have fully convective surfaces and interiors, with no chemical differentiation by depth...
s, some of the smallest stars formed.
He retired in 1984.
He won the Eddington Medal
Eddington Medal
The Eddington Medal, named after Sir Arthur Eddington, is awarded by the Royal Astronomical Society nominally once every two years for investigations of outstanding merit in theoretical astrophysics.- Recipients :* 1953 Georges Lemaître...
in 1970, the Kyoto Prize
Kyoto Prize
The has been awarded annually since 1985 by the Inamori Foundation, founded by Kazuo Inamori. The prize is a Japanese award similar in intent to the Nobel Prize, as it recognizes outstanding works in the fields of philosophy, arts, science and technology...
in 1995, and the Bruce Medal
Bruce Medal
The Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal is awarded every year by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for outstanding lifetime contributions to astronomy. It is named after Catherine Wolfe Bruce, an American patroness of astronomy, and was first awarded in 1898...
in 2004.
Chushiro Hayashi died from pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at a Kyoto hospital on February 28, 2010.