astrosat
Astrosat to give researchers an edge
MUMBAI, Nov 6/2002:
Astrosat — the astronomical research satellite to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will add punch to the research activities in the country, leading astronomers and researchers feel.
The satellite will provide data for astronomical studies and the other payload including an all sky X-ray monitors and an ultra violet/optical telescope system, according to ISRO sources.
Besides the ISRO, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Raman Research Institute are involved in developing the satellite which will be launched in the next few years.
The launch will be yet another milestone in the astronomical research in the country.
The announcement of the launch of ‘Astrosat’ was made some time back by ISRO Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan and the process of developing this indigenous satellite is currently underway in Indian space research labs.
Astronomy is the oldest scientific discipline humankind has known and it has, alongwith astrophysics, come a long way since independence and the proposed launch of Astrosat is seen as yet another step towards the quality research in India. Prof Rajesh Kochhar, director of New Delhi-based National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies, welcomed the ISRO step and said that such an exclusive satellite for astronomical research will boost research activities in the country.
City-based astronomer Dr Bharat Adur of the Nehru Planetarium here, also said that such a satellite will be a major advantage for astronomers and astrophysicists of the country.
Researchers said that with the launch of this advanced satellite, astronomical research institutions can now look beyond advanced telescopes for their finds.
Prof Kochhar, who has authored several books on astronomy including ‘Astronomy in India: a perspective’ along with Dr Jayant Narlikar, said "modern astronomy which came to India in tow with Europeans, will go beyond the age of telescopic astronomy and will be yet another major breakthrough in modern astronomy."
Some institutes of optical astronomy in India have carved a niche in the arena and these include Vainu Bappu observatory, Kavalur of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Nisamiah and Japal-Rangapur observatories and department of astronomy of Hyderabad-based Osmania University, Uttar Pradesh State Observatory, Naini Tal, Gurushikar Infra-red Observatory, Mt Abu, Kodaikanal Observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Udaipur Solar Observatory.
Radio astronomy has also developed in India at a similar pace. The institutes include the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the TIFR at Pune, the Raman Research Institute at Bangalore and the Physical Research Lab at Ahmedabad.
The history of space astronomy in India is also five decade old, but the Astrosat will herald a new era of research. Gamma-ray astronomy in India has also advanced considerably. The nuclear and high-altitude research laboratories of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Gulmarg has come a long way since the sixties, he added. (UNI)
MUMBAI, Nov 6/2002:
Astrosat — the astronomical research satellite to be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will add punch to the research activities in the country, leading astronomers and researchers feel.
The satellite will provide data for astronomical studies and the other payload including an all sky X-ray monitors and an ultra violet/optical telescope system, according to ISRO sources.
Besides the ISRO, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Raman Research Institute are involved in developing the satellite which will be launched in the next few years.
The launch will be yet another milestone in the astronomical research in the country.
The announcement of the launch of ‘Astrosat’ was made some time back by ISRO Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan and the process of developing this indigenous satellite is currently underway in Indian space research labs.
Astronomy is the oldest scientific discipline humankind has known and it has, alongwith astrophysics, come a long way since independence and the proposed launch of Astrosat is seen as yet another step towards the quality research in India. Prof Rajesh Kochhar, director of New Delhi-based National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies, welcomed the ISRO step and said that such an exclusive satellite for astronomical research will boost research activities in the country.
City-based astronomer Dr Bharat Adur of the Nehru Planetarium here, also said that such a satellite will be a major advantage for astronomers and astrophysicists of the country.
Researchers said that with the launch of this advanced satellite, astronomical research institutions can now look beyond advanced telescopes for their finds.
Prof Kochhar, who has authored several books on astronomy including ‘Astronomy in India: a perspective’ along with Dr Jayant Narlikar, said "modern astronomy which came to India in tow with Europeans, will go beyond the age of telescopic astronomy and will be yet another major breakthrough in modern astronomy."
Some institutes of optical astronomy in India have carved a niche in the arena and these include Vainu Bappu observatory, Kavalur of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Nisamiah and Japal-Rangapur observatories and department of astronomy of Hyderabad-based Osmania University, Uttar Pradesh State Observatory, Naini Tal, Gurushikar Infra-red Observatory, Mt Abu, Kodaikanal Observatory of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and Udaipur Solar Observatory.
Radio astronomy has also developed in India at a similar pace. The institutes include the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the TIFR at Pune, the Raman Research Institute at Bangalore and the Physical Research Lab at Ahmedabad.
The history of space astronomy in India is also five decade old, but the Astrosat will herald a new era of research. Gamma-ray astronomy in India has also advanced considerably. The nuclear and high-altitude research laboratories of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Gulmarg has come a long way since the sixties, he added. (UNI)
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