Elon Musk Honors Indian Scientist With Son's Name
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, revealed a personal connection to India through his partner, Shivon Zilis, and their son. One of their sons carries the middle name "Sekhar" in honor of the Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.
Shivon Zilis's Indian Heritage
Musk shared in an interview that Shivon Zilis, who works at Neuralink, has Indian roots. Zilis was adopted and raised in Canada and has never visited India. Musk believes her biological father may have been an exchange student.
Who Was Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar?
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, born in Lahore in 1910, was a brilliant astrophysicist whose work significantly impacted our understanding of stars. He came from a family of scientists; his uncle, CV Raman, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Chandrasekhar's Groundbreaking Work
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983.
- Developed the Chandrasekhar limit, which defines the maximum mass of a white dwarf star.
- His work is fundamental to understanding neutron stars and black holes.
Academic Career and Legacy
Chandrasekhar studied at the University of Cambridge and spent most of his career at the University of Chicago. He also served as the editor of The Astrophysical Journal from 1952 to 1971. He married Lalitha Doraiswamy in 1936 and became a U.S. citizen in 1953. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 84. His wife passed away in 2013 at the age of 102.
His legacy is honored through NASAโs Chandra X-ray Observatory, which provides insights into cosmic phenomena.
Musk's Inspiration and Naming Choice
Musk's fascination with space and physics led him to admire Chandrasekhar. Naming his son "Sekhar" reflects Musk's respect for scientists who expand our knowledge of the universe. The name connects family history, scientific excellence, and cultural heritage.
Musk and Zilis's Children
Shivon Zilis and Elon Musk have four children:
- Twins Strider and Azure
- Daughter Arcadia
- Seldon Lycurgus Sekhar (born this year)
The name "Sekhar" is a tribute to Chandrasekhar's scientific legacy.
