PUNE: Science is a collaborative process and in coming years, India will lead the world in Science, said Director of Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Somak Raychaudhury while interacting with the students on Thursday.
IUCAA like every year had organised an interactive session with the students where eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar and Raychaudhary were present. The session was coordinated by scientists Anupreeta More and Surhud More.
During the hour long session, various questions were posed by the students. While replying to a question raised by Namrata Gurjar whether IUCAA will be interested in making collaborations with astronomical organisations worldwide, Raychaudhury said, “We have no choice as Science is not an individual process. Wwith Ligo India, our country is all set to lead the world in Science.”
Narlikar gave tongue in twist answers to the students when they asked what would have happened if the Earth’s axis was not tilted? He provoked them saying think what would have happened if you have to live life in the same season like only summer or winter?
Then when asked about whether life exists outside the solar system, Narlikar said, “We are working on a project where we have found bacteria 40 km up in the atmosphere. These bacteria either have jumped into the atmosphere from the Earth would have fallen from up above, but we haven’t got any proof of it so far. Generally, bacteria can travel upto 25 km if erupted through volcanic action,” Narlikar said.
Explaining why despite having similar temperatures on Earth and Mars, whether life exists on Mars, Narlikar said, “We have yet not got complete answers on life has evolved on Earth. We have trees, temperature variations and the distance from the Sun.”
While answering the question as what is the application of Ligo, Somak said, “There are two answers to this question one is theoretical and one is practical. Newton and Einstein had different ways to look at the gravitation. Practically, it can be used for doing an eye operation. Newer technologies can be developed or invented with its help.”
SCIENCE DAY AT NCCS, NCL
- The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) had organised an open day. Prof Nitin Karmalkar, Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, inaugurated the National Science Day at NCCS and released ‘Cellular Insights’, a documentary made to commemorate 30 successful years of NCCS. Nandan Kudhyadi, a film maker who directed ‘Cellular Insights’, spoke about his experiences with making this documentary while Director of NCCS, Gopal Kundu, welcomed the guests and gave an overview of the activities of NCCS.
- CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), too celebrated the National Science and on the occasion, Prof Gautam Desiraju, Solid State; Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore delivered the National Science Day lecture on the topic titled ‘International year of the Periodic Table - 2019’.
