Sunday, 27 March 2022 | PNS | Roorkee
The 40th annual meeting of the Astronomical Society of India jointly organised by Indian Institute of Technology- Roorkee (IIT-R) and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital underway here saw the start of the main meeting here on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, the principal scientific adviser to the Government of India, professor K Vijay Raghavan while stressing the importance of astronomy and astrophysics in a data-driven world said, “With major efforts going on in the country from organisations like ISRO, ARIES, and other eminent bodies to make India a leading researcher in the area of astronomy, it is imperative for us to broaden the base of astronomy and astrophysics to which ASI is doing so well and scaling up nevertheless. “
IIT-R director professor Ajit K Chaturvedi said, “This event will provide a good opportunity for the students and faculty of IIT Roorkee to learn more about the fascinating subject of astronomy. Many programmes in IIT Roorkee are directly or indirectly contributing to astronomy. I hope it will generate more interest in our campus in the field of Astronomy.”
ARIES director professor Dipankar Banerjee said, “Understanding the critical features of star-planet interactions and their impacts on the planetary environment is a rapidly emerging, interdisciplinary field globally which is recognised by the recent formation of an International Astronomical Union Commission (E4) focused on this issue. Hence, ARIES is obliged to contribute to the emerging progress in observational capabilities of exo-planetary systems.”
ASI was established in 1972, so this meeting also marks 50 years of ASI. It has since grown to become the prime association of professional astronomers in India. The society has close to 1,000 members. The objectives of the society are the promotion of astronomy and related branches of science in India.
