Krishna Damodar Abhyankar did his PhD (1958) from the University of California, USA. His specialization was in Astronomy and Astrophysics. He was Head, Department of Astronomy and Director, Nizamiah and Japal-Rangapur Observatory of Osmania University (1961-63, 1973-81, 1986-88); Post-doctoral Resident Research Associate of NASA at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California (1967-70); Dean, Faculty of Science, Osmania University (1977-80); Visiting Professor, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (1982- ), and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Srinagar, Kashmir and CSIR Emeritus Scientist, Osmania University, Hyderabad (1988-90).

Academic and Research Achievements: Abhyankar made photometric, spectroscopic, spectrophotometric and period studies of about three-dozen eclipsing and variable stars. He solved several problems in radiative transfer in moving, inhomogeneous and imperfectly scattering atmospheres and calculated the intensity and polarization line profiles in planetary atmosphere with particular reference to Venus. He also studied the sunspots and the solar corona, and developed an FTS method for measuring the Stokes parameters as a function of wavelength. He authored Astrophysics - Stars and Galaxies (Tata McGraw-Hill).

Other Contributions: Abhyankar was largely responsible for the founding of Astronomical Society of India. He edited four Volumes of symposium proceedings, served as Member of Editorial Boards of Bulletin of Astronomical Society of India, Indian Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy and Proceedings of Indian National Science Academy.

Awards and Honours: Abhyankar was the recipient of Best Teacher Award of Andhra Pradesh Government (1986) and INSA Vaina Bappu Memorial Award (1998). He was a Fellow of International Astronomical Union; Royal Astronomical Society; Astronomical Society of the Pacific; Astronomical Society of India (President, 1980-82); Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore; Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences and Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.