, , is a Japanese-American spectroscopist and astronomer specializing in the field of galactic astronomy, known as a pioneer of astrochemistry and the co-discoverer of interstellar trihydrogen cation (). He is now R.A. Milliken Distinguished Service Emeritus Professor, Departments of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Chemistry; Enrico Fermi Institute; and the College of University of Chicago.The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics | Takeshi Oka
Education Oka received his BS and PhD degrees in 1955 and 1960, respectively, at the University of Tokyo.
Career From 1960 to 1963, Oka was a JSPS Fellow at the University of Tokyo, and in 1963, he was a postdoctoral fellow along with Harry Kroto and J.K.G.Watson, among others, in Gerhard Herzberg's spectroscopy laboratory at the National Research Council of Canada. Afterward, he successively worked at the National Research Council of Canada (1964–1981), and at the University of Chicago (1981–). His research group is concerned with the study of the quantum mechanics and dynamics of fundamental molecular ions and their behavior in astronomical objects.
In 1980, at the National Research Council of Canada, Oka discovered the infrared spectrum of . which is thought to be the starting point for gas phase chemistry in interstellar "molecular clouds." Following a lengthy search Thomas R. Geballe and Oka detected the infrared spectrum of in two interstellar clouds. Since then Oka and his colleagues have published numerous papers on their observations of interstellar .
Recognition Source:
Oka was on the list of ChemBank's prediction for the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.Nobel Predictions | ChemBark
Awards 2004 - Davy Medal. 2004 - Norman MacLean Faculty Award. 2002 - E. Bright Wilson Award in Spectroscopy 1998 - Ellis R. Lippincott Award. 1997 - William F. Meggers Award. 1990 - Burlington Northern Achievement Award. 1982 - Earle K. Plyler Prize for Molecular Spectroscopy 1973 - Steacie Prize.
Titles 2004 - Wei Lun Visiting Professorship. 2004 - Honorary DSc from the University College London. 2003 - Earl W. McDaniel Lecture Georgia Institute of Technology. 2001 - Honoris caua, University of Waterloo. 2000 - George Pimentel Memorial Lecture, University of California, Berkeley. 1998 - Medaili Jana Marca Marci. 1997 - Distinguished JILA Visitor. 1995 - Golden Jubilee Lecture, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. 1992 - Special Issue, Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy, Vol. 153. 1992 - Lecturer, International School of Physics, "Enrico Fermi". 1992 - Lord Lecturer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1989 - McDowell Lecturer, University of British Columbia. 1985-1986 - Chancellor's Distinguished Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley. 1981-1982 - Centenary Lecturer, Royal Society.
Membership in learned societies Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow, American Physical Society Fellow, Optical Society of America Fellow, Royal Society of London Fellow, Royal Society of Canada
Publications Source:
See also List of fellows of the Royal Society M, N, O List of fellows of the Royal Society elected in 1984
References
External links Chemistry Department - University of Chicago Journal of Physical Chemistry Takeshi Oka Festschrift: Celebrating 45 Years of Astrochemistry シカゴ大学岡武史教授、所長特別セミナーにて講演 | 分子科学研究所