New Delhi: Indian planetary scientist Kuljeet Kaur Marhas has achieved a major milestone in the field of space science by becoming the first Indian woman to be elected Fellow of The Meteoritical Society, a globally recognised body dedicated to the study of meteorites and planetary materials.
The honour places Prof. Marhas among an elite group of international researchers whose work has significantly contributed to understanding the formation and evolution of the Solar System, according to reports.
Established in 1933, The Meteoritical Society is regarded as one of the world’s leading scientific organisations in meteoritics and planetary science. The society recognises scientists whose research has advanced knowledge of meteorites, asteroids, and other extraterrestrial materials.
With her election, Prof. Marhas becomes only the third Indian scientist to receive the distinction after renowned researchers Devendra Lal and JN Goswami.
Prof. Marhas currently serves as a professor in the Planetary Science Division at Physical Research Laboratory. Her research over the years has focused on decoding clues preserved in ancient extraterrestrial materials dating back billions of years, helping scientists better understand the early stages of planetary formation.
Her work is particularly noted for studies involving short-lived radionuclides and stable isotopes found in meteorites and other space materials. She has also contributed to research on pre-solar grains, Calcium-Aluminum-rich Inclusions, chondrules, and organic compounds preserved in meteorites.
Apart from laboratory-based studies, Prof. Marhas has examined samples brought back through several landmark international space missions, including Stardust, Hayabusa, and the Apollo lunar programme.
The recognition is being viewed as a significant achievement for India’s scientific community and a moment of pride for women researchers working in advanced space and planetary sciences.
