Richard Dowden (scientist)

Richard Lindsay Dowden (1932–2016), sometimes known as Dick Dowden, was an Australian-born New Zealand-resident scientist and researcher, and a recognised authority within the fields of geo- and astrophysics.

[1] Dowden was educated at Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview and later studied science at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in 1955.

[1] In the course of his career, Dowden made numerous research journeys to both the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Areas of research included electromagnetic theory and detection techniques, the polarity and longitude of the dipole axis of Jupiter, very low frequency emissions, the dynamic spectral shape of electrons in electromagnetic radiation, high frequency ionospheric sounders; very low frequency modulation of the auroral electrojet; detection and interpretation of red sprites; invention of the dynagraph; and Jupiter polarmetrics.

[1] The Otago Daily Times, in its obituary for Dowden, described him as an "award-winning researcher" and an "influential teacher".