Narlikar

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar is an Indian astrophysicist and cosmologist known for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in the fields of cosmology and general relativity. Born on July 17, 1938, in Kolhapur, India, Narlikar earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bombay in 1958 and later pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1963 under the supervision of Fred Hoyle.

Narlikar is best recognized for his collaboration with Fred Hoyle and Geoffrey Burbidge on the Steady State Theory, an alternative to the Big Bang Theory. This theory proposed that the universe has no beginning or end and maintains a constant density over time through the continuous creation of matter. While the Steady State Theory has largely been superseded by the Lambda-CDM model, Narlikar’s work remains influential in discussions about cosmological models.

Beyond cosmology, Narlikar has explored other areas of physics, including the study of quasars, gravitational lensing, and the nature of dark matter. He has also contributed to the development of the conformal cyclic cosmology (CCC) model, an extension of the Steady State Theory that suggests the universe undergoes cyclic phases of expansion and contraction.

Narlikar has authored numerous books and research papers, including *The Universe in a Helium Droplet* (1977) and *The Cosmological Constant: A Historical Perspective* (2002). He has held academic positions at institutions such as the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, India, where he served as director from 1999 to 2005.

In addition to his scientific work, Narlikar has been involved in public outreach and the popularization of science. He has received several awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1977 for his contributions to astrophysics. His research continues to be cited in discussions about the fundamental nature of the universe and alternative cosmological frameworks.