Alfven, Hannes Olof Gosta

1908 - Hannes Olof Gosta Alfven was born in Norrkoping, Sweden on May 30, 1908.

1934 - He received his PHD from the University of Uppsala and taught physics at both the University of Uppsala and the Nobel Institute for Physics in Stockholm, Sweden.

1937 - He argued about plasma and contributed to astrophysics the galactic magnetic field.

1939 - He proposed the theory of magnetic storms and auroras and the theory of plasma dynamics in the earth's magnetosphere.

1940 - He became professor of electromagnetic theory and electrical measurements at the Royale Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

1945 - He acquired the nonappointive position of the Chair of Electronics.

1950 - He contributed to astrophysics the Identified nonthermal synchroton radiation from astronomical sources.

1963 - His title was changed to Chair of Plasma Physics.

1967 - He moved to United States and worked in the departments of Electrical Engineering at both the University of California, San Diego and the University of Southern California.

1970 - He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work with magnetohydrodynamics.

1971 - He was awarded the Gold medal of the Franklin Institute and Lomonosov Gold medal of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

1974 - His theoritical work on field-aligned electric currents in the aurora was confirmed by satellite observations.

1988 - He was awarded the Bowie medal for his work on comets and plasmas in the solar system by the American Geophysical Union.

1991 - He retired as professor of electrical engineering at the University of California, San Diego and professor of plasma physics at the Royal Institute of Thechnology in Stockholm.

1995 - He died in Djursholm, Sweden on April 2, 1995.