Bibha Chowdhuri was a pioneering Indian physicist who researched cosmic rays, published in Nature and became one of India's first women in high-energy physics. Decades after her death, a star was named Bibha in her honour.
Long before her name was associated with a star, Bibha Chowdhuri was a young woman determined to pursue physics in an era when scientific research remained largely dominated by men. Born in Calcutta, now Kolkata, on 3 July, 1913, she went on to become one of India's pioneering women researchers in high-energy and particle physics.
Who is Bibha Chowdhuri?
Her academic journey stood out early. When Chowdhuri completed her master's degree in physics at the University of Calcutta in 1936, she was reportedly the only woman in a class of 24 students. At a time when opportunities for women in scientific research were limited, she continued to pursue a field that demanded years of specialised study and experimentation.
According to Down To Earth and the Council of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory, Chowdhuri's education was supported by her progressive family. Her father was a doctor, while her family background was associated with the Brahmo Samaj, a reform movement that encouraged education, including for women.
Bibha Chowdhuri's research on cosmic rays and publishing Nature
After completing her master's degree, Chowdhuri began research under physicist Debendra Mohan Bose. At the Bose Institute, the pair investigated cosmic rays, high-energy particles that travel through space and interact with the Earth's atmosphere.
Their research involved photographic emulsions, which helped scientists identify the tracks left by subatomic particles. Between 1938 and the early 1940s, Chowdhuri and Bose published their findings in Nature, one of the world's leading scientific journals. Their work contributed to early investigations into mesons, a family of subatomic particles.
The research was significant, but the team eventually faced a shortage of sensitive photographic plates during the Second World War, limiting further experiments. Chowdhuri subsequently travelled to the University of Manchester in Britain, where she pursued a PhD under physicist Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett, who later received the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Her career continued across several major research institutions. In 1949, she became the first woman researcher at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), founded by Homi Jehangir Bhabha.
She later worked at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, contributing to cosmic-ray research and investigations involving high-energy particles.
Why was a star named after Bibha Chowdhuri?
Despite her contributions, Chowdhuri received limited recognition during her lifetime. She continued researching until her death on 2 June 1991, leaving behind a body of work that was not widely celebrated outside scientific circles.
That began to change decades later. In 2019, the International Astronomical Union honoured her by naming the star HD 86081 Bibha. The star is located in the constellation Sextans.
The recognition gave her name a lasting place in the night sky. As the Council of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory has noted, Bibha means “ray of light” in Bengali, a fitting association for a physicist whose work helped illuminate the invisible world of cosmic particles.
Her story is also a reminder that scientific achievement and public recognition do not always arrive together.
About the Author
Trisha Bhattacharya
Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.