Jayant Narlikar was one of the co founders of the Steady State alternative to the big bang theory of cosmology.

Although currently out of fashion, the big ban v steady state saga is reminiscent of the wave v particular theories of light which also see sawed back and fore in popularity.

BBC News

Jayant Narlikar: Remembering the Indian scientist who cha...

Jayant Narlikar who died at age 86, was dedicated to science education and shaped a generation of Indian researchers.

1 hour ago, studiot said:

Jayant Narlikar was one of the co founders of the Steady State alternative to the big bang theory of cosmology.

Although currently out of fashion, the big ban v steady state saga is reminiscent of the wave v particular theories of light which also see sawed back and fore in popularity.

BBC News

Jayant Narlikar: Remembering the Indian scientist who cha...

Jayant Narlikar who died at age 86, was dedicated to science education and shaped a generation of Indian researchers.

…..until they were brought together and harmonised in quantum theory.

I see Hoyle was his PhD supervisor at Cambridge. Must admit I had not heard of him.

19 hours ago, exchemist said:

…..until they were brought together and harmonised in quantum theory.

I see Hoyle was his PhD supervisor at Cambridge. Must admit I had not heard of him.

I remember an Indian character from the 2004 film sharing Hoyle's paper with Hawking and Hoyle not being too happy about it.

I thought this could have been artistic licence but it is documented that a young Hawking challenged Hoyle in a presentation.

21 minutes ago, pinball1970 said:

I remember an Indian character from the 2004 film sharing Hoyle's paper with Hawking and Hoyle not being too happy about it.

I thought this could have been artistic licence but it is documented that a young Hawking challenged Hoyle in a presentation.

What film was that? Seems odd for Hoyle to be annoyed about a paper he had written, and presumably published, being brought to Hawking''s attention.

(The only Hoyle paper I know about is the famous B²FH, on cosmic abundance of the elements, which came up in Inorganic Chemistry lectures. I don't know any of his steady state stuff.)

1 hour ago, exchemist said:

What film was that? Seems odd for Hoyle to be annoyed about a paper he had written, and presumably published, being brought to Hawking''s attention.

(The only Hoyle paper I know about is the famous B²FH, on cosmic abundance of the elements, which came up in Inorganic Chemistry lectures. I don't know any of his steady state stuff.)

It is just called "Hawking" full film here. Narlikar appears at 43:50 and the challenge to Hoyle at the Royal Society presentation in 1964 at 48 minutes.

1 hour ago, exchemist said:

(The only Hoyle paper I know about is the famous B²FH, on cosmic abundance of the elements, which came up in Inorganic Chemistry lectures. I don't know any of his steady state stuff.)

Like I said artistic licence probably.

May he rest in peace. His name did ring a somewhat distant bell.

The next big thing in cosmology might be based on hyperbolic functions, I sense. People have been too worried about constant things, periodic things, and exponential things.

The right combination of increasing and decreasing exponentials might be the way to go.

I'm sure whatever new revolution comes our way, an Indian cosmologist will be involved. They're steeped in mathematics and preoccupation for the eternal cycle of time.

Jayant Narlikar was a pioneering Indian astrophysicist best known for championing the Steady State theory alongside Fred Hoyle. Though the theory eventually lost ground to the Big Bang model, Narlikar’s contributions were crucial in shaping modern cosmological debate. Beyond research, he was a passionate science communicator who inspired generations of Indian scientists. His legacy endures in both the classroom and the cosmos.

4 minutes ago, KielThompson3 said:

Jayant Narlikar was a pioneering Indian astrophysicist best known for championing the Steady State theory alongside Fred Hoyle. Though the theory eventually lost ground to the Big Bang model, Narlikar’s contributions were crucial in shaping modern cosmological debate. Beyond research, he was a passionate science communicator who inspired generations of Indian scientists. His legacy endures in both the classroom and the cosmos.

He’s like an Indian Carl Sagan to some extent