James B. Pollack was a an astrophysicist and a senior space research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center who helped develop the theory that atomic war would result in a "nuclear winter" as a world-renowned expert in the study of planetary atmospheres and particulates using non-grey radiative transfer techniques.

In other work, he examined evolutionary climate change on all the terrestrial planets and detailed models of the early evolution of the giant gas planets. He made fundamental contributions to the design of numerous NASA missions - Jim participated in every major NASA flight mission since Apollo.

An expert in the study of planetary atmospheres and particulates, Jim's work led to many advances in our understanding of the solar system. He discovered the first real evidence that the clouds of Venus are composed of sulphuric acid. He explained the reason for the paradox that Saturn's rings showed low microwave emissivity but high radar reflectivity.

Jim was a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for exceptional contributions to Planetary Sciences through the development of models of planetary atmospheres and planetary evolution and through the tests and verifications of these models by means of laboratory, airborne and spaceborne experiments. Pollack Crater on Mars was named in 1997 for James B. Pollack