Jack Piddington

Distinguished for his work in radiophysics, including ionospheric studies, radio-astronomy of the sun, moon, and galaxy, the theory of phenomena occurring in plasma in magnetic fields, radio propagation in the troposphere, and war-time radio-engineering developments of considerable importance to the campaign in the Pacific. Measured lunar radio emission and deduced temperature and surface layer structure of that body. Designed first accurate range­finding equipment for coast defence gunnery, and simple light-weight air-warning equipment installed rapidly with great effect at Darwin and elsewhere, and subsequently used successfully by U.S. and Australian forces in "island-hopping" campaigns. His recent theoretical work demonstrates invalidity of many theories (e.g. of Hoyle, Giovanelli) which depend upon time variation of magnetic fields in conducting plasma.

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