Sunday Times 2
Experiences in the solar world
View(s):Book facts: Events on my world line: Recollections and reflections of an Asian-American space scientist by Prof. Asoka Mendis reviewed by Nandasiri Jasentuliyana President Emeritus, International Institute of Space Law
Strange as it may sound, many a times nations end up ignoring their greatest minds. Those talented souls are left to wander, overlooked and forgotten, as nations carve their heroes, most ironically, out of outright mediocrity. Prof. Asoka Mendis is one such name, whose greatness was acknowledged internationally, yet he remained unknown in the land of his birth. Dr. Mendis is one of the greatest scientists that Sri Lanka has produced, and most certainly recognised as a famous scientist in the world.
“Events in my world line” is his autobiography. Brilliantly written inspiring story of the journey of this extraordinarily scientist, whose life and work are at the forefront of space age revelations that have illuminated modern day astronomy and astrophysics. We are treated to a lucid expose of the secrets of the universe that the writer unraveled during half a century of outstanding work, now recounted with philosophical reflection that leads him to debunk most common myths and beliefs that shrouded our understanding of the universe of stars and planets that he explored. The author gives the general reader the opportunity to learn the complexities of the universe in a very simple and readable manner, with his rare ability of taking highly intricate scientific theories and weaving them to readable tales reflecting his life and work.
An introductory cover note observes that, in its overall scope, this book is not merely an autobiography of the author but a biography of the entire universe (both external and internal), that is skillfully woven into the narrative, and the topics range from the mundane to the profound. While the level of attention required of the reader varies from chapter to chapter, increasing significantly towards the end, even the most profound scientific ideas are presented simply and transparently, and quite often lightened by a touch of humor.
Much of the book is peppered with detailed reflections on his experiences as a student and teacher of science. The cover note also states that, a clear thread that runs through the entire narrative is his uncompromising scepticism, and his deep commitment to the application of the empirical or scientific method of investigation (which is combining reason with observational verification) in all spheres of human thought. He states that the guiding principle of his life has been just a single, yet all-encompassing word that was inculcated in him, very early on, by his rationalist father, which was: think.
Born in Sri Lanka, Prof. Asoka Mendis attended Ananda College for his early education and then obtained his B.Sc. in mathematics with first class honors from the University of Colombo. Prof. Mendis served the University of Colombo as a lecturer for four years and received a scholarship from the government of Sri Lanka to attend the University of Manchester. He obtained his Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Manchester in 1967, which later awarded him a D.Sc. for his pioneering work in astrophysics and space physics. In 1969, he joined the University of California San Diego (UCSD) faculty of Applied Electrophysics, as a member of its “founding faculty”.
Professor Mendis has researched extensively into astrophysics, planetary and space physics, the physics of dusty plasmas and quantum plasmas, solar system studies and physics of comets. He has authored and co-authored over 250 articles and three books. He retired as a distinguished professor and remains at UCSD as an emeritus professor, while continuing his research. Professor Mendis had the honour of becoming the only scientist invited to participate in all missions to comets in the mid 1980’s. In 1986, during the cold war, Professor Asoka Mendis was accorded an honorary citizenship from Hungary to enable him to participate in the research into Halley’s comet that was carried out at the space facilities in the Soviet Union, as the Soviet Union considered it crucial for Dr. Mendis to have participated, though an American, as one of the few theoreticians capable of analysing the project data. While his work on Halley’s comet remains one of the highlights of his career, he is widely recognized as a “planetary pioneer” and the “founder” of dusty plasma research.
But his autobiography, “Events in my world line,” is not a mere catalogue of achievements; it is, rather, an engrossing portrayal of a brilliant scientist and he has done a superb job presenting to the reader a feast of a story. There are intriguing anecdotes narrated in this comprehensive book, that leave the reader wanting to know more. The scientific details are mostly nontechnical, thus rendering the book accessible to interested lay people as well as professional scientists. If you have even a passing interest in science, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. It makes an inspiring gift for students as well.
Aside from its many interesting facts, incidents, and anecdotes, the book also touches on the confluent and often conflicting influences of belief systems and modern scientific thought. Referring to his early interest in the work of the Ceylon Rationalist Association, he presents us with a thought provoking account of the fundamentals of Buddhism and a host of other religious and mundane beliefs, making the book of interest to those who seek an understanding of the cultural significance of modern science.
What is also noteworthy is that, despite all his achievements, he is still firmly grounded in his roots in Sri Lanka. In his biography, he relates in vivid terms the socio-cultural aspects of Sri Lanka that nurtured him in his native land. Son of a surveyor, he recounts his travels around the island and how his father allowed him to use his telescope, and helped him find the planets as they scoured the night sky together, and undoubtedly triggering his curiosity about far away objects in the universe.
He speaks endearingly of his ancestral “Village by the sea” that was not spared by the boxing day tsunami of 2004. It is this connection that largely makes Prof. Mendis maintain his contact with Sri Lanka, with his continuing support for the Foundation of Goodness that helped in rebuilding this shattered southern village and is presently replicating it by rebuilding a northern village devastated by the long ethnic conflict. Prof. Mendis is generously donating the entire proceeds from the sale of his biography to this foundation.