M. Shahid Qureshi
Encyclopedia
Dr. Prof. Muhammad Shahid Qureshi or Shahid Qureshi, he is best known as Dr. M. Shahid Qureshi, is a Pakistani astrophysicist and a renowned astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...

. He is an academic and an eminent educationist from Pakistan who has published articles in the fields of astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...

 and astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...

. He is the assistant professor of astrophysics and astronomy at Karachi University and Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics
Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics
The Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics, also known as by its abbreviation ISPA, is a premier and national research institute of Pakistan for the study of and research into topics pertaining to astronomy, mathematics, theoretical, particle and astrophysics and related subjects, controlled...

 (ISPA), and also leading ISPA, the country's prominent institution in the field of planetary astrophysics and planetary astronomy
Planetary science
Planetary science is the scientific study of planets , moons, and planetary systems, in particular those of the Solar System and the processes that form them. It studies objects ranging in size from micrometeoroids to gas giants, aiming to determine their composition, dynamics, formation,...

. He previously served as an assistant professor of mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...

.

He is an avid supporter of science and technology in Pakistan and has helped directing documentaries concerning about the astrophysics and astronomy. He has also appeared in Geo Television
Geo TV
Geo TV or Geo Television is a Pakistani television network, founded by Mr. Mir Shakil ur Rehman in May 2002 and owned by Independent Media Corporation. The channel began test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning 1 October 2002...

 and Dawn News
Dawn News
Dawn News was Pakistan's 24-hour Urdu news channel. Based in Karachi, the station is a subsidiary of Pakistan Herald Publications Limited , Pakistan's largest English-language media group. The test transmission of the station occurred on May 25, 2007, and the channel went live on July 23, 2007...

 frequently where he briefed the nation on Solar eclipse of July 22, 2009.

Biography

He graduated and received a B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...

 with Honors in Applied Mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...

 from Department of Mathematics of University of Karachi in 1979. He then received his M.Sc.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...

 in Mathematics from the same institution with specialization in Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...

, and Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...

 in 1983. In between, he served United Bank Limited, Karachi as a computer programmer to earn his living. In 1983, after getting his Master's degree, he joined as a fellow the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
The Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, or commonly known as "PINSTECH", is a multi-program science and technology national research institute managed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The PINSTECH offers a post-graduate and post-doctoral research in the field of nuclear...

, where he joined the "Mathematical Physics Group", and did preliminary research there.

He left PINSTECH in 1984, and moved to Karachi, Sindh. He joined University of Karachi as a lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...

 to fulfill his dream to become a professor of Mathematics. Under the supervision of noted quantum theorist and renowned particle physicist Dr. Khursheed Ather Siddiqui, he did his M.Phil.
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...

 in Particle physics from University of Karachi, writing a thesis and covered major area in the field of "Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics
Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
In theoretical physics, supersymmetric quantum mechanics is an area of research where mathematical concepts from high-energy physics are applied to the seemingly more prosaic field of quantum mechanics.-Introduction:...

". In 1989, he moved to the Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics on the directions of the then-Vice Chancellor of University of Karachi, Dr. Zafar Saeed Saifi. Qureshi did his Ph.D
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...

. in Nuclear astrophysics
Nuclear astrophysics
Nuclear astrophysics is an interdisciplinary branch of physics involving close collaboration among researchers in various subfields of nuclear physics and astrophysics, with significant emphasis in areas such as stellar modeling, measurement and theoretical estimation of nuclear reaction rates,...

 and Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...

 from ISPA in 2008.

His doctoral thesis is on the "Earliest Visibility of New Lunar Crescent
Astronomical seeing
Astronomical seeing refers to the blurring and twinkling of astronomical objects such as stars caused by turbulent mixing in the Earth's atmosphere varying the optical refractive index...

". He has occasionally lectured in the field computational mathematics
Computational mathematics
Computational mathematics involves mathematical research in areas of science where computing plays a central and essential role, emphasizing algorithms, numerical methods, and symbolic methods. Computation in the research is prominent. Computational mathematics emerged as a distinct part of applied...

 at Lahore University of Management Sciences
Lahore University of Management Sciences
The Lahore University of Management Sciences, usually referred to by its acronym LUMS, is a university located in Lahore, Pakistan. LUMS was established in 1984 by a group of industrialists and people belonging to Pakistan's leading private and public sector corporations, to provide rigorous...

 (LUMS). Currently, he is serving at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi
Institute of Business Administration, Karachi
The Institute of Business Administration is a university and a business school in Karachi, Pakistan. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, IBA is one of the best business and IT institutes in Pakistan...

 (IBA) as the Chaiperson, Department of Mathematical Sciences of the Faculty of Computer Science.

Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics

Qureshi joined the teaching profession in 1984 at the University of Karachi. Later, he joined Institute of Business Administration, Karachi
Institute of Business Administration, Karachi
The Institute of Business Administration is a university and a business school in Karachi, Pakistan. According to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, IBA is one of the best business and IT institutes in Pakistan...

. For a brief period he also the Department of Computer Science as a full time Faculty member. Besides, he also taught as visiting faculty at various private sector Universities in Karachi including Institute of Business Administration.

He is a well-known astrophysicist in Pakistan. And, he has given numerous interviews to the media, concerning the fields of physical cosmology
Physical cosmology
Physical cosmology, as a branch of astronomy, is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of the universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. For most of human history, it was a branch of metaphysics and religion...

, astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...

, and astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...

. He played an important role in re-establishing the Karachi University's Astronomical Observatory
KU Observatory
The K.U. Observatory or Karachi University Observatory is located in the campus area of Karachi University. The KU space observatory is operated by the Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics and stands majestically, 15,000 feet atop a hill and surprisingly, was built to last. The space...

. As a noted space scientist at ISPA, he is engaged in research on Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
In theoretical physics, supersymmetric quantum mechanics is an area of research where mathematical concepts from high-energy physics are applied to the seemingly more prosaic field of quantum mechanics.-Introduction:...

, lunar phase
Lunar phase
A lunar phase or phase of the moon is the appearance of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen by an observer, usually on Earth. The lunar phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun...

, light pollution
Light pollution
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...

 and solar energy.

Influence and motivation

At the Karachi University, he has maintain vital relationship with the professors from Karachi University. According to him, his professors played an important role in his life and influenced him to gain his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...

 in astronomy and astrophysics. According to an interview given to the Dawn News, it was one his professor who influenced him to gain his doctorate degrees in astronomy. He laments, "In 1990, one of my professors said that very soon Pakistan will be asking the world to send us teachers to teach mathematics and physics as we ran out of them. Today I am forwarding his message: we do not have teachers to teach mathematics and physics".

Higher education

In 1983, he received his M.Sc. in applied mathematics
Applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is a branch of mathematics that concerns itself with mathematical methods that are typically used in science, engineering, business, and industry. Thus, "applied mathematics" is a mathematical science with specialized knowledge...

 and M.Phil. in 1995 writing his thesis on Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
Supersymmetric quantum mechanics
In theoretical physics, supersymmetric quantum mechanics is an area of research where mathematical concepts from high-energy physics are applied to the seemingly more prosaic field of quantum mechanics.-Introduction:...

, from Karachi University. In 2008, he was awarded his an Ph.D. in Astrophysics and Astronomy, in which he wrote his thesis on "the effects of atmospheric conditions on crescent visibility
Astronomical seeing
Astronomical seeing refers to the blurring and twinkling of astronomical objects such as stars caused by turbulent mixing in the Earth's atmosphere varying the optical refractive index...

, from the Karachi University.

Advocating for space research

He has been a vocal advocate for space research in Pakistan. Qureshi had been appeared in different Pakistani news channels and educational channels in which he has been advocating for space research in Pakistan. He has been also planned and sat up the astronomical and astrophysics events at the universities and high schools. With the help of Karachi University's Physics department, he planned a "Space Week event" in ISPA on October 31, 2008.

The event was called "Planet Watch" and a numbers of high school and college students were invited. He also delivered a lecture at the conference in which he urged: "You don’t need any equipment for astronomy. All you need is a pair of eyes and curiosity about the cosmos
Cosmos
In the general sense, a cosmos is an orderly or harmonious system. It originates from the Greek term κόσμος , meaning "order" or "ornament" and is antithetical to the concept of chaos. Today, the word is generally used as a synonym of the word Universe . The word cosmos originates from the same root...

." As he told the students.

He concluded his lectured and later discloses that he worked as part of the team at Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics that worked on the astronomical object
Astronomical object
Astronomical objects or celestial objects are naturally occurring physical entities, associations or structures that current science has demonstrated to exist in the observable universe. The term astronomical object is sometimes used interchangeably with astronomical body...

s, astrophysical plasma
Astrophysical plasma
An astrophysical plasma is a plasma the physical properties of which are studied as part of astrophysics. Much of the baryonic matter of the universe is thought to consist of plasma, a state of matter in which atoms and molecules are so hot, that they have ionized by breaking up into their...

, and physical cosmology
Physical cosmology
Physical cosmology, as a branch of astronomy, is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of the universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. For most of human history, it was a branch of metaphysics and religion...

. As he explained:

"According to initial cosmology, the ancients considered the planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...

s to be a total of seven: Mercury
Mercury (planet)
Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet in the Solar System, orbiting the Sun once every 87.969 Earth days. The orbit of Mercury has the highest eccentricity of all the Solar System planets, and it has the smallest axial tilt. It completes three rotations about its axis for every two orbits...

, Venus
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent magnitude of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows...

, Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...

, Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...

, Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...

, the Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...

 and the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...

 (also considered planets). Hence, the days of the week were also seven".

Research in astrophysics and particle physics

Qureshi's articles have been printed in international and national physics journals. He has been a known cited researcher in the field of computer programming while studying at Karachi University. He has been researching to the fields of astrophysics in relation with elementary particle physics and published numerous papers at ISPA. In relation to astrophysics to particle physics, he, once elaborate, while giving a lectured:

"The well-known grand unification theory
Grand unification theory
The term Grand Unified Theory, often abbreviated as GUT, refers to any of several similar candidate models in particle physics in which at high-energy, the three gauge interactions of the Standard Model which define the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions, are merged into one single...

 had two directions of research in the 1980s and ’90s. The Supersymmetric theory appeared as one of the results. The empirical predictions of which, could not be tested till today, due to the absence of laboratories. We will be able to test some predictions of the supersymmetry theory when the Large Hadron Collider
Large Hadron Collider
The Large Hadron Collider is the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator. It is expected to address some of the most fundamental questions of physics, advancing the understanding of the deepest laws of nature....

 functions at its full capability. Particle physics
Particle physics
Particle physics is a branch of physics that studies the existence and interactions of particles that are the constituents of what is usually referred to as matter or radiation. In current understanding, particles are excitations of quantum fields and interact following their dynamics...

 and astrophysics, along wide with astronomy, has remained to explore the nature of forces in the first place and of course which is closely related to cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...

, in which we describe the structure of the universe. So the other aspect of my research was astronomy and astrophysics."

His work has been far reaching and influential. Due to lack to researches to the fields of astrophysics and astronomy; Qureshi's work has been a vital support to an academic research in astrophysics. At SUPARCO, he also helped manufacturing and setting up the space observatory
Space observatory
A space observatory is any instrument in outer space which is used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects...

 along with the Chinese scientists.

Support for rocket science and Satellite Launch Vehicles (SLV)

He has been supporting the Satellite Launch Vehicle project program at SUPARCO. He has been also urged that Pakistan should launch its satellites via either Sonmiani
Sonmiani
Sonmiani is a coastal town in the southeast of Balochistan province in Pakistan, approximately 145 kilometres northwest of Karachi. The coast of Sonmiani is the northernmost point of the Arabian Sea. The town also serves as a Union Council of Hub Tehsil. Sonmiani is noted for its space research...

 or Tilla
Tilla
Tilla Satellite Launch Center, primary known as Tilla Range, is a 25 km west of Jhelum city in Punjab. The facility is also known as Mashhood Test Firing Range...

. In an interview while discussing Pakistan's status on Satellite Launch Vehicle
Satellite Launch Vehicle
The Indian Satellite Launch Vehicle or SLV was a project started in the early 1970s by Indian Space Research Organisation to develop the technology needed to launch satellites. The project was headed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. SLV was intended to reach a height of 400 km and carry a payload of...

 with noted nuclear physicist Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy
Pervez Hoodbhoy
Dr. Prof. Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy , is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, essayist and political-defence analyst. He is the professor of nuclear and high-energy physics, and the head of the Physics Department at the Quaid-e-Azam University . He graduated and also received PhD from MIT and continues to...

. While in discussion, he urged that missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...

s have very roboost and effective electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...

 and computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...

 system, the SLVs used the similar technology. Dr. M. Shahid Qureshi also urges that Pakistan has the basic technology to build an SLV.

He discloses the discussion with Dr. Hoodbhoy and said "If we can launch a missile up to a range of 1,500 km, why not build an SLV that can launch low-atmosphere satellites
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...

?" he said. According to Dr. M.S. Qureshi, "we can begin by launching navigation
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...

, spy
Spy satellite
A spy satellite is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications....

 and weather satellite
Weather satellite
The weather satellite is a type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be either polar orbiting, seeing the same swath of the Earth every 12 hours, or geostationary, hovering over the same spot on Earth by orbiting over the equator while...

s, which can go up to 1,500 km into space. This alone can give us a lot of data that we need to buy now".

Research papers

  • “Climatic Variability and Linear Trend Models for Major Cities of Pakistan”, Journal of Geography and Geology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2010.
  • “A New Criterion of Earliest Visibility of New Lunar Crescent”, Sindh Univ. Res. Jour. (Sci. Sec.), 42(1), 1-18, 2010.
  • “On Origin Theories of Ring Galaxies: Observational Data and Modelling”, Astronomy & Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, Ed. S Nuritdinov, Pub.: Fed. Urdu University, Karachi, 67-79, 2009
  • “Path of Best Visibility of New Lunar Crescent”, Astronomy & Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, Ed. S Nuritdinov, Pub.: Fed Urdu University, Karachi, 156-161, 2009
  • “Celestial Objects’ Visibility Concern in Karachi”, Astronomy & Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, Ed. S Nuritdinov, Pub.: Fed Urdu University, Karachi, 185-194, 2009
  • “Error Minimization in Polynomial Approximation of ΔT”, J. Astrphys. Astr., 29, 363-366, 2008
  • “Assessing Polynomial Approximation of ΔT”, J. basic appl. Sci., 4(1), 1-4, 2007.
  • “Methods of Calculating Crescent Lengths”, J. basic appl. Sci., 3(2), 65-72, 2007
  • “A Comparative Study of Arithmetic Lunar Calendar, Observational and Predicted Lunar Calendar for Pakistan for Years 2000-2004”, J. basic appl. Sci., 2(2), 91-103, 2006
  • “A New Variable Step Size Algorithm for Solving Initial Value Problems”, J. basic appl. Sci., 2(1), 37-44, 2006
  • “Taqweemat aur Qudrati Mazahir”, Al-Tafseer, 2(1), 101-107, 2006
  • “A Fuzzy Mathematical Model of Maximum Likelihood Estimates”, J. basic appl. Sci., 1(2), 95-100, 2005
  • “Differential Mental Growth Model”, J. basic appl. Sci. 1(1), 11-13, 2005
  • “On the Modern Approach to the earliest Visibility of Lunar Crescent”, Kar. Un. J. Isl. St., VII(I-II), 54-76, 2005
  • “From No-Go Theorems to Supersymmetry Algebra”, Kar. Univ. J. Sc., 32(1&2), 55-62, 2004.
  • “SUSY Algebra for One Dimensional Quantum Mechanical Systems and its Application”, Kar. Univ. J. Sc. 28(2), 25-32, 2000.
  • “Generalisation of Operator Method and its Application” Kar. Univ. J. Sc. 28(1), 83-94, 2000.
  • “Solvable Supersymmetric Systems", Kar. Univ. J. Sc. 23(1&2), 27-38, 1995.

External links

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