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Dibyendu Nandi of Kolkata has been named as the first space scientist from Asia-Pacific region to be honoured by the prominent American Astronomical Society.
Nandi, from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata, has been doing extensive research on the sun and the different characteristics of solar activity for the last many years.
According to an official statement, Nandi was honoured with the Karen Harvey Prize in "recognition for a significant contribution to the study of the sun, early in a person's professional career."
The award includes a cheque of $1000 (Rs 57,000), which Nandi intends to contribute towards a student fund.
"The main thrust of my discovery is that the sun's memory regarding its past activity is very short. This implies that very long term forecasting of solar activity and space weather is ruled out," Nandi told the Asian Scientist Magazine.
He added that he felt really privileged to be recognised by such a prestigious organisation and expressed his gratitude for selecting a scientist in the Asia-Pacific region who is not residing in the US.
Nandi completed his PhD in solar physics from the Indian Institute of Physics and has worked for various NASA projects at the Montana State University, US. He is also a part of Indian Space Research Organisation's mission to the sun.