Chandra Wickramasinghe

Nalin Chandra Wickramasinghe (1939-) is professor of Applied Mathematics and Astronomy at Cardiff University; Director of Cardiff Centre for Astrobiology. Student and collaborator with Sir Fred Hoyle; their joint work on the infrared spectra of interstellar grains led to developing the modern theory of panspermia. This theory proposes that cosmic dust in interstellar space and in comets is partly organic, and that life on earth evolved from this source rather than from "primordial soup." Currently working on developing methods for detecting life processes in space. Winner in 1997 of the Crafoord Prize; Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts; Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.