Current Research Interests
The Origin and early Evolution of our Solar System by studying "now-extinct" short-lived radioisotope (60Fe, 26Al) records in the 'FIRST' formed solids of the Solar System namely, Calcium, Aluminium-rich Inclusions (CAIs) and chondrules, using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer.
Research Inclinations and Future Research work will include:
Chronology of Events and Processes in the Early Solar System, particularly,
Formation and evolution of CAIs and other refractory inclusions
Genealogy of CAIs and Chondrules
Nebular and Parent body Metamorphism of components of Meteorites
Astrophysics, Stellar Evolution, and Nucleosynthesis
Early evolution of the Earth
Geochronology and Evolution of Indian shield
Origin of evolution of Life on the Earth
Development of Analytical techniques and Analytics for in-situ laboratory measurements and Planetary missions
Appointments & Professional Experiences
Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at Institut für Geowissenschaften, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany June 2016- May 2018
NASA Post-Doctoral Program Fellow at Centre for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology of NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, USA September 2014 - May 2016
Visiting Scientist at NanoSIMS laboratory of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India April 2014-September 2014
Post Doctoral Fellow at Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques (CRPG- CNRS) Nancy, France April 2010- October 2013
Post Doctoral Fellow at Physical Research Laboratory, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India Jan-April 2010
Education
Ph.D. (Science) : Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India July 2004 - Dec 2009;
Supervisor : Prof. J. N. Goswami; Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.
Thesis title :“Records of now-extinct nuclides in early Solar System objects : An Ion microprobe study”.
M.Sc. (Physics) : Department of Physics and Astrophysics; University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
B.Sc.-B.Ed. (Integrated) Physical Sciences : Regional Institute of Education Bhopal, Barkatullah University, MP, India.
AISSCE : Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology) Sainik School Balachadi, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
AISSE : (Science, Maths, Social Studies, Hindi, English) Sainik School Balachadi, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
Fellowships and Awards
1. Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany 2016-2018
2. NASA (National Aeronautical and Space Administration) Post-Doctoral Program (NPP) Fellowship, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, USA 2014-2016
3. Carl Storm International Diversity Fellowship 2009
4. Senior & Junior Research Fellowship Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad 2004-2009
5. Junior Research Fellowship University Grant Commission Physical Sciences December 2003
6. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (G.A.T.E.) Physics 2004 97.4%ile All India Rank-70
7. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (G.A.T.E.) Physics 2003 95.8%ile All India Rank-97
8. Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) Physics 2004 All India Rank-197
9. National Eligibility Test (NET) Lectureship Physical Sciences June 2003
10. Centre For Advanced Studies National Scholarship awarded under University Grant commission (U.G.C.) scheme at University of Delhi for Years 2001-2003
11. Merit Scholarship at Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal Awarded by National Council for Education Research and Training (N.C.E.R.T.) for Years 1995-1999
Professional Services:
Review Panelist for NASA NPP program (2020)
Reviewer for NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) funding program (2010)
Invited Reviewer for Ministry of Science and Education Government of Kazakhstan (2019)
Peer reviewer for research articles submitted in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Meteorites and Planetary science, Chemical Geology, Geochemical Journal
Teaching Experience and Curriculum Development:
1. Teaching Assistant Advanced Graduate Course Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat August 2004 – March 2005.
2. PGT Physics in Rani Laxmi Bai Public School Datia, Madhya Pradesh 16 February- 15 July 2004.
3. PGT Mathematics & Physics in Rashtriya Sahayak Vidyalaya Bikaner, Rajasthan 12 September-16 October 2003.
4. TGT Mathematics in Kendriya Vidyalaya A.F. Station Chandinagar; Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh 12 July – 14 August 2000.
5. Internship (B.Sc.-B.Ed.) Science & Mathematics in Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2 Bhopal; Madhya Pradesh August – November 1998.
Publications https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3073-1245
Peer reviewed Journals:
1. R. K. Mishra and K. K. Marhas Meteoritic evidences of a late superflare as source of 7Be in the early Solar System Nature Astronomy, 3, 498-505, 2019.
2. R. K. Mishra Petrography, and mineralogy of Calcium-, Aluminum-rich Inclusions in an unequilibrated carbonaceous chondrite Y 81020 (CO3.05). Current Science 114, 1510-19, 2018.
3. R. K. Mishra, K. K. Marhas and Samir NanoSIMS Abundance of 60Fe inferred from nanoSIMS study of QUE 97008 (L3.05) chondrules. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 436, 71-81, 2016.
4. R. K. Mishra and M. Chaussidon Fossil records of high level of 60Fe in chondrules from unequilibrated chondrites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 398, 90-100, 2014.
5. R. K. Mishra and J. N. Goswami Fe-Ni and Al-Mg isotope records in UOC chondrules: Plausible stellar source of 60Fe and other short-lived nuclides in the early Solar System. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 132, 440-457, 2014.
6. R. K. Mishra and M. Chaussidon Timing and extent of Mg and Al isotopic homogenization in the early inner Solar System. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 390, 318-326, 2014.
7. Tu-Han Luu, M. Chaussidon, R. K. Mishra, C. Rollion-Bard, J. Villeneuve, G. Srinivasan and J. L. Birck High precision Mg isotope measurements of meteoritic samples by secondary ionization mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic mass spectrometry 28, 67-76, 2013 (selected as the hot paper of the issue Inside Front page).
8. R. K. Mishra, M. Chaussidon and K. K. Marhas Ni isotope systematics in chondrules from unequilibrated chondrites to constraint 60Fe in the early Solar system. Proceedings of Science (NIC XII) 85, 2012.
9. R. K. Mishra, J. N. Goswami, S. Tachibana, G. R. Huss and N. G. Rudraswami 60Fe and 26Al in chondrules from unequilibrated chondrites: Implications for early Solar system processes. Astrophysical Journal (Letters) 714, L217-L221 2010.
In arxiv
10. R. K. Mishra A Hibonite-Pyroxene Spherule in Allan Hills 77307 (CO3. 03): Petrography and Mineralogy arXiv: 1712.00603 [astro-ph.EP] 2017
11. R. K. Mishra and K. K. Marhas On the origin of 7Be isotopic records in a Calcium, Aluminium, -rich inclusion arXiv: 1904.01992 [astro-ph.EP] 2019
Under review/ Submitted
Conference Abstracts and Proceedings:
1. R. K. Mishra Silicon-Sulphur isotope systematics studies in early Solar system solids using high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry 39th Annual conference on Indian Society for Mass Spectrometry (2019).
2. R. K. Mishra The light elements enlighten lightening from our young Sun 39th Annual conference on Indian Society for Mass Spectrometry (2019).
3. K. K. Marhas, and R. K. Mishra, Superflares from the primeval Sun 38th Meeting of the astronomical society of India (2019).
4. K. K. Marhas, and R. K. Mishra, Superflares from the nascent Sun and resolution of the conundrum of irradiation as a source 100th American Geophysical Union Abstract# (2019).
5. R. K. Mishra, and K. K. Marhas, Fossil record of 7Be and 10Be in a CAI: Implications for the origin and early evolution of our Solar system. 81st Annual Meteoritical society conference Abstract#6125 (2018).
6. R. K. Mishra, and K. K. Marhas, Evidence of fossil record of 7Be in a CAI: Implications for the early Solar system. 28th V. M. Goldschmidt conference Abstract#3915 (2018).
7. R. K. Mishra, and M. Trieloff, Oxygen isotopic study of a CAI and an Al-rich chondrule from Vigarano. 28th V. M. Goldschmidt conference Abstract#3931 (2018).
8. K. K. Marhas, and R. K. Mishra, The vanguard of irradiation: the fourth element (Be). LPSC, XLIX, Abstract # 1646 (2018).
9. R. K. Mishra, K. K. Marhas, and M. Trieloff, 26Al-26Mg isotope systematics in Leoville CAIs and Chainpur chondrule. LPSC, XLIX, Abstract # 1633 (2018).
10. R. K. Mishra, K. K. Marhas, and M. Trieloff, Petrography and mineralogy of a hibonite-pyroxene spherule in Allan Hills 77307 (CO3.03). LPSC, XLVIII, Abstract # 1423 (2017).
11. R. K. Mishra, and K. K. Marhas, Discerning a general formation scenario of hibonite-pyroxene spherules from petrographic and mineralogical study of a pristine object in Allan Hills 77307 (CO3.03). AOGS, XXI, Abstract # (2017).
12. R. K. Mishra, J. I. Simon, D. K. Ross, and K. K. Marhas, CAIs in Semarkona (LL3.0). LPSC, XLVII, Abstract # 2750 (2016).
13. R. K. Mishra, J. I. Simon, S. Messenger, K. K. Marhas, D. K. Ross, A. W. Needham, and J. Han, Oxygen isotopes in perovskites and associated mineral assemblages in a hibonite-bearing Allende CAI. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 50, A#5133 2015.
14. R. K. Mishra, J. I. Simon, D. K. Ross, L. P. Keller, K. K. Marhas, and A. W. Needham, A refractory inclusion in unequilibrated ordinary chondrite (LL3.3) Allan hills A81251. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 50, A#5139 2015.
15. A. W. Needham, S. Messenger, L. P. Keller, J. I. Simon, J. Han, R. K. Mishra, and K. K. Marhas, Aluminium-Magnesium isotope systematics in Wark-Lovering rims. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 50, A#5014 2015.
16. R. K. Mishra, K. K. Marhas, J. I. Simon, and D. K. Ross, Evidence of metasomatism in the lowest petrographic types inferred from a Na, K-rich rim around a LEW 86018 (L3.1) chondrule. AGU, Joint meeting, Montreal, Abstract # 33982 (2015).
17. R. K. Mishra, J. I. Simon, D. K. Ross, A. W. Needham, S. Messenger, L. P. Keller, J. Han, and K. K. Marhas, Na, K-rich rim around a chondrule in unequilibrated ordinary chondrite LEW 86018 (L3.1). LPSC, XLVI, Abstract # 2994 (2015).
18. A. W. Needham, S. Messenger, L. P. Keller, J. I. Simon, J. Han, and R. K. Mishra, Systematic oxygen isotope variations within a single Vigarano CAI surrounded by a uniformly 16O- rich Wark-Lovering Rim. LPSC, XLVI, Abstract # 2865 (2015).
19. R. K. Mishra, C. Rollion-Bard and M. Chaussidon, To be, or not to be; homogeneous in 26Al during the early Solar System ? Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 48, A#5217 2013.
20. K. K. Marhas, R. K. Mishra, and Samir, 60Fe-60Ni isotope systematic study of QUE 97008 chondrite using NanoSIMS. Annual conference on Indian Society for Mass Spectrometry 2013.
21. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, High precision 26Al study of refractory components in chondrites. Paneth Kolloquium, Noerdlingen, Germany 2012.
22. K. K. Marhas, and R. K. Mishra, Fossil record of 60Fe in QUE 97008 chondrules. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 47, A#5273 2012.
23. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, 60Fe-60Ni isotope systematics in silicates in chondrules from unequilibrated chondrites: yet again and status quo. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 47, A#5194 2012.
24. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, Ni isotope systematics in chondrules from unequilibrated chondrites to constraint 60Fe in the early Solar system. Nuclei in cosmos XII, Cairns, Australia 2012.
25. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, Mg isotopic study of Ca-,Al-rich refractory inclusions from carbonaceous chondrites: Constraints on 26Al distribution in the accretion disk and condensation processes. LPSC, XLIII, Abstract # 1942 (2012).
26. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, High precision 26Al-26Mg isotope systematics in CAIs to constrain the early solar system events. 6th Russbach school on Nuclear Astrophysics Russbach, Austria 2012.
27. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, Constraining the early history of Solar Systems from 26Al-26Mg isotope systematics in CAIs. Workshop on Formation and Early Evolution of Very Low mass Stars and Brown Dwarf Garching, Germany 2011.
28. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, Records of early Solar system events inferred from Al-Mg isotope systematics in CV3 chondrites. Workshop on Formation of the First Solids in solar system Kauai, Hawaii, USA 2011.
29. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, Chronology of early Solar System inferred from precise Al-Mg Isotope systematics of Vigarano CAIs. 21st V. M. Goldschmidt conference Abstract#3351 (2011).
30. R. K. Mishra, and M. Chaussidon, 26Al-26Mg Chronometry of CAIs from CV3 Chondrites, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 46, A162 (2011).
31. R. K. Mishra, M. Chaussidon, and Tu. H. Luu, Petrographic and high precision Al-Mg isotope systematics of a type B CAI from Vigarano, LPSC, XLII, Abstract # 2110 (2011).
32. R. K. Mishra, and J. N. Goswami, 60Fe and 26Al records in UOC chondrules: Evidence for their contemporaneous injection into early solar system, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 44, A144 (2009).
33. R. K. Mishra, and J. N. Goswami, Fe-Ni and Al-Mg isotope systematics in UOC chondrules, in Gordon Research Conference, Boston USA, July 2009.
34. R. K. Mishra, and J. N. Goswami, Fe-Ni and Al-Mg isotopic studies in unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, Conference on Planet formation and evolution: The Solar system and extrasolar planets. Tubingen, Germany March 2009.
35. R. K. Mishra, J. N. Goswami, S. Tachibana, G. R. Huss and N.G. Rudraswami, Fe-Ni and Al-Mg isotope systematics in chondrules from unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, LPSC, XL, Abstract # 1689 (2009).
36. R. K. Mishra, and J. N. Goswami, Fe-Ni isotope systematics in UOC chondrules, International conference on Terrestrial planets: Evolution through time. Ahmedabad, India January 2008.
37. R. K. Mishra, and J. N. Goswami, Fe-Ni and Al-Mg isotope systematics in chondrules from Semarkona (LL3.0) and LEW 86134 (L3.0), Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 43, A99 (2008).
38. J. N. Goswami and R. Mishra, Fe-Ni isotope systematics in silicate phases of UOCs chondrules, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 42, A58 (2007).
39. J. N. Goswami, R. Mishra, and N. G. Rudraswami, Fe-Ni and Al-Mg isotope records in UOCs belonging to low petrologic grades, NIPR 31st Symposium on Antarctic Meteorites (2007).
40. J. N. Goswami, R. Mishra, and N. G. Rudraswami, 60Fe and 26Al records in chondrules from unequilibrated ordinary chondrites of low petrologic type, LPSC, XXXVIII, Abstract # 1943 (2007).
Mentor/ Advisor/ Collaborator:
Prof. Jitendra Nath Goswami (Ph.D. Advisor)
Ex. Director, Physical Research Laboratory
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, India 380009.
Tel: 91 07926314331; goswami@prl.res.in
Prof. Marc Chaussidon (Post Doc. Advisor)
Director, Institut du Physique de Globe du Paris (IPGP)
1 Rue Jussieu 75238 Paris Cedex 05 France
Tel: 033 0183957787; chaussidon@ipgp.fr
Dr. Justin Ibrahim Simon (Post Doc. NPP Advisor)
Planetary Scientist, Centre for Isotope Cosmochemistry & Geochronology
NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Centre, Mail Code XR111
Houston, Texas 77058 USA
Tel: 01 28124451; justin.i.simon@nasa.gov
Prof. Bernard Marty
Professor, Centre de Recherches Petrographiques et Geochimiques, (CRPG-CNRS)
BP 20, universite de Lorraine, 15 rue Notre Dame des Pauvres,
Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France 54501
Tel: 033 383594222; bmarty@crpg.cnrs-nancy.fr
Prof. Gary R. Huss
Director, W. M. Keck Laboratory for Cosmochemistry
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology
1680 East-West Road, Post 602 Honolulu, HI 96822 USA
Tel: 01 8089569342; ghuss@higp.hawaii.edu
Prof. Shogo Tachibana
Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Tel: 81 1107063586; tachi@eps.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Public lectures, Outreach activities, and coverage in Electronic and Print media:
Posters and activities presentation in several exhibitions in Indian Science Congress, National Science Day, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Foundation day, PRL Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Vibrant Gujarat summit
On award of NASA post doctoral fellowship in Dainik Jagran, Prabhat Khabar, Gujarat Samachar
Public Lecture at Bhagalpur Bihar on Imminent natural threats and possible resolution Coverage in Silk/DEN TV
Coverage in several Hindi dailies Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Prabhat Khabar, Hindustan
Public Lecture at Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad Gujarat Born with a Bang: Solar system and Supernova on National Science Day 2019 (28thFeb 2019)
Article in Nature Astronomy received wide coverage in the electronic and print media:
Indian National Television DoorDarshan programs leading story in
‘Science this week’ (English) and
‘Vigyan Darpan’ (Hindi)
Rajya Sabha TV
‘Science Monitor’ (English) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0AbqxRGRzw and
‘Gyan Vigyan’ (Hindi) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JKPXRQml84&t=128s
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Story of the week Superflares from the nascent Sun: Evidence from Meteorites Nature Astronomy Blog An annum circa ~4576 Mega–anna in the life of Our Sun
Nature India Fire and Fury Heralded the birth of the Solar system
The Hindu English Daily Meteorites sheds light on the Sun’s infant years
The life of science (TLoS) web portal The hunt for superflares from the Sun
The First Post News portal How an Indian scientist provided evidence of superflares on the Sun through analysis of a meteorite sample
MSN news Online portal Kazakh meteorite reveals signs of ancient Solar ‘super flare’ https://www.msn.com/en-sg/money/technology/kazakh-meteorite-reveals-signs-of-ancient-solar-superflare/ar-BBVfJcV?srcref=rss
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany press release in Deutch “War unsere ursonne hyperaktiv?”
in English “Was our primeval Sun hyper active?”
Gujarat Samachar Gujarati Daily
The wire Online portal Locked in meteorite, Memories of how our Sun behaved in its youth
Gizmodo.com Webblog Kazakh meteorite reveals signs of ancient Solar ‘super flare’
Deccan Herald English News Daily Hunt for the Sun’s superflares
PRL NEWS Evidence of Solar super flare leading article
Vikram Patrika Hindi periodical special edition on the birth centenary of Vikram Sarabhai सौरमंडल का उद्भव और विक्रम सौर प्रज्वाल
Sterne und weltraum Scientific periodical German Der Supersonnenstrahlungsausbruch 1, pp16, January 2020
Personal Details
Dr. Ritesh Kumar Mishra
Date of birth: 23rd May 1978 at Dhawalpur, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.
Nationality: Indian
Married; One Daughter
Hobbies: Sports, Reading, and Writing Poems
Dedication/ Obituary to my beloved brother: Late (Captain) Nitin Kumar Mishra
Did you notice the golden line and small red, cyan line at the top of the picture ? The golden line represents the time since the formation of the Solar system (~4567000000 Years). The red line represents the X 100 magnified time scale (shown as the full scale at the lower panel) of HUMAN evolution on earth of ~300000 Years. The CAIs and Wark-Lovering rim (shown in the lower panel) formed over a time scale of ~106 and 30000 years at the beginning of the Solar system. Last update 9 June 2019