Draft:Aswin Sekhar
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Aswin Sekhar is an Indian astronomer and meteor scientist whose research focuses on meteoroid streams, celestial mechanics and the dynamics of small Solar System bodies. He is affiliated with the Paris Observatory in France and is associated with its Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides (IMCCE).[1] His research has examined orbital resonances and the effects of general relativity on meteoroid streams and other small Solar System bodies.[2][3]
In 2023, the International Astronomical Union named the minor planet (33928) Aswinsekhar in recognition of his work in meteor science. The IAU's citation described Sekhar as the first professional meteor astronomer from India in modern times and cited his contributions to meteoroid-stream dynamics, particularly research involving relativity and resonances.[4]
Early life and education
[edit]Sekhar was born in Ottappalam, in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India, in 1985.[5]
He studied physics and subsequently pursued doctoral research in meteor science and celestial mechanics. He completed a PhD in Physics at Queen's University Belfast in 2014.[6] His doctoral work concerned the evolution of Halley-type comets and associated meteoroid streams.[7] During his doctoral studies, Sekhar was associated with Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, where he worked on comet and meteoroid research.[6]
Research
[edit]Sekhar's research is centred on the dynamics of meteoroid streams and the orbital evolution of small bodies in the Solar System. His work has examined how gravitational resonances and relativistic effects influence the trajectories of meteoroids, comets and other small bodies.[2][3]
Meteoroid-stream dynamics
[edit]One area of Sekhar's research concerns the influence of mean-motion resonances on meteoroid streams. In a 2013 study with David J. Asher, he investigated Saturnian mean-motion resonances in meteoroid streams and their implications for the structure and evolution of such streams.[2]
Sekhar, Asher and Jérémie Vaubaillon subsequently studied three-body resonances in meteoroid streams. Their research examined the dynamical interaction between meteoroid particles and the giant planets and considered the role of resonant configurations in the evolution of meteor streams.[8]
His research has also included the resonant behaviour of Comet Halley and the Orionid meteoroid stream.[9]
Relativistic effects and orbital dynamics
[edit]Another component of Sekhar's research concerns general relativity and its effects on the orbital evolution of Solar System bodies.
In work published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Sekhar and collaborators investigated changes in general-relativistic precession rates associated with Lidov–Kozai oscillations in Solar System objects.[3]
His research has also examined changes in the minimum orbit intersection distance of small Solar System bodies as a consequence of general-relativistic precession.[10]
These studies form part of his broader work on the orbital evolution of meteoroids, comets and other small Solar System objects.
Career
[edit]After completing his PhD, Sekhar worked as a research associate at Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland.[6]
He subsequently worked at the University of Oslo in Norway, including research at the Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics. His work there involved celestial mechanics and Solar System dynamics.[11]
Sekhar later became associated with the Paris Observatory, working with the Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides (IMCCE). The International Astronomical Union lists his country of employment as France and his organisation as Observatoire de Paris.[1]
Professional awards
[edit]Sekhar is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS).[12]
Scientific publications
[edit]Sekhar has published research articles on meteoroid streams, celestial mechanics and Solar System dynamics.[13]
His publications include studies of Saturnian mean-motion resonances in meteoroid streams, three-body resonances, meteor showers originating from sungrazing comets, the resonant behaviour of Comet Halley and the Orionid stream, and relativistic effects on Solar System bodies.[2][8][9][3]
In 2018, Sekhar published a commentary in Nature India concerning the representation of women in astronomy and the gender gap in astronomical sciences.[14]
The following year, he published a correspondence in Nature titled "Gender parity closer among astronomers in low-income countries".[15]
Sekhar was also a contributing author to the book Meteoroids: Sources of Meteors on Earth and Beyond, published by Cambridge University Press in 2020.[16]
Recognition
[edit]Minor planet named after Sekhar
[edit]In June 2023, the International Astronomical Union announced the naming of minor planet (33928) Aswinsekhar, previously designated 2000 LJ27.[4]
The IAU's naming citation states that Aswin Sekhar, born in 1985, is the first professional meteor astronomer from India in modern times and recognises his contributions to meteoroid-stream dynamics, particularly the effects of relativity and resonances.[4]
The naming was reported by Indian and international media, including Onmanorama and ThePrint.[17][18]
Selected publications
[edit]- Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J. (2013). "Saturnian mean motion resonances in meteoroid streams". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 433 (1): L26–L30.[2]
- Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J. (2014). "Resonant behavior of Comet Halley and the Orionid stream". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 49.[9]
- Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J.; Vaubaillon, Jérémie (2016). "Three-body resonance in meteoroid streams". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 460: 1417–1426.[8]
- Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J.; Werner, Stephanie C.; Vaubaillon, Jérémie; Li, Gongjie (2017). "Change in general relativistic precession rates due to Lidov-Kozai oscillations in Solar system". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 468 (2): 1405–1412.[3]
- Sekhar, Aswin (2018). "Gender gap in astronomical sciences". Nature India.[14]
- Sekhar, Aswin (2018). "Gender parity closer among astronomers in low-income countries". Nature. 555 (7695): 165.[15]
- Vaubaillon, Jérémie; Neslušan, Lubor; Sekhar, Aswin; et al. (2020). Meteoroids: Sources of Meteors on Earth and Beyond. Cambridge University Press.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Prof. Dr. Aswin Sekhar". International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J. (2013). "Saturnian mean motion resonances in meteoroid streams". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 433 (1): L26–L30. doi:10.1093/mnrasl/slt065.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J.; Werner, Stephanie C.; Vaubaillon, Jérémie; Li, Gongjie (2017). "Change in general relativistic precession rates due to Lidov-Kozai oscillations in Solar system". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 468 (2): 1405–1412. doi:10.1093/mnras/stx548.
- 1 2 3 "WGSBN Bulletin Volume 3, #9" (PDF). International Astronomical Union. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ↑ "Aswin Sekhar". Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Alumni: Dr Aswin Sekhar FRAS". Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "List of Publications". Aswin Sekhar. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J.; Vaubaillon, Jérémie (2016). "Three-body resonance in meteoroid streams". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 460 (2): 1417–1426. doi:10.1093/mnras/stw1078.
- 1 2 3 Sekhar, Aswin; Asher, David J. (2014). "Resonant behavior of Comet Halley and the Orionid stream". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 49: 52.
- ↑ Sekhar, Aswin; Valsecchi, Giovanni B.; Asher, David J.; Werner, Stephanie C.; Vaubaillon, Jérémie; Li, Gongjie (2017). "Change in minimum orbit intersection distance due to general relativistic precession in small Solar System bodies". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
- ↑ "Participants" (PDF). University of Hawaii. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "Aswin Sekhar joins elite committee on meteor science, hopes to inspire in astronomy". The News Minute. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ "Dr. Aswin Sekhar". Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- 1 2 Sekhar, Aswin (8 March 2018). "Gender gap in astronomical sciences". Nature India. doi:10.1038/nindia.2018.27.
- 1 2 Sekhar, Aswin (2018). "Gender parity closer among astronomers in low-income countries". Nature. 555 (7695): 165. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-02835-z.
- 1 2 Vaubaillon, Jérémie; Neslušan, Lubor; Sekhar, Aswin; Rudawska, Roksana; Ryabova, Galina O. (2020). Meteoroids: Sources of Meteors on Earth and Beyond. Cambridge University Press.
- ↑ R, Ayyappan (23 June 2023). "Minor planet named after Malayali, India's first meteor astronomer". Onmanorama. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
- ↑ Narang, Gaurvi (25 July 2023). "Aswin Sekhar is India's first meteor scientist. Skies over Kerala's Nila river inspired him". ThePrint. Retrieved 29 September 2026.
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