Antariksh Archives

From April 11-13, 2023, a select group of participants, including members of the Antariksh Club, attended the Horn Antenna Workshop organized by IUCAA. The event, part of a Faculty Development Programme, was attended by over 30 professors from across India, who came together to explore the cutting-edge fields of radio astronomy, particularly focusing on the 21cm H-Line Spectrum and the construction of Horn Antennas. The workshop provided a unique opportunity for participants to delve into advanced topics and gain practical skills in radio astronomy and antenna technology.

On March 30, 2023, the Antariksh Astronomy Club hosted a remarkable star gazing event at the picturesque foothills of Rajgad Fort, near Pune. This event, led by Jameer Manur Sir, aimed to connect participants with the cosmos and foster a deeper understanding of astronomy. The evening offered not only a chance to observe celestial bodies but also an opportunity to engage in various fun and enriching activities.

On February 24, 2023, the Antariksh Astronomy Club at Vishwakarma Institutes hosted a lecture, "Reaching to the Sun," featuring Dr. Helen Mason from the University of Cambridge. A leading solar scientist, Dr. Mason discussed solar dynamics, sunspots, flares, and the solar wind, highlighting their effects on Earth. The event attracted over 120 students and faculty, offering a unique opportunity for interaction. Dr. Megha Anand from IUCAA and Mr. Jameer Manur, the club mentor, also attended. A lively Q&A followed the lecture, fostering in-depth discussion. The event was a success, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organizers and volunteers.

Quantum mechanics provides the foundation for understanding measurement at atomic and subatomic scales, where principles like wave-particle duality, quantization, and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle become essential. Wave-particle duality reveals that particles such as electrons and photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior, impacting how they can be measured. Quantization implies that many properties, like energy, only take specific values, affecting measurement precision. The uncertainty principle, which limits simultaneous precision in certain measurements (e.g., position and momentum), fundamentally shapes how measurements are understood in quantum systems. Quantum states, represented mathematically by wave functions, embody the probabilities of a system’s possible outcomes. Through superposition, quantum systems can exist in multiple states until measured, enhancing precision in techniques like quantum interferometry, which uses interference patterns for highly accurate measurements. Quantum measurement techniques, including interferometry and quantum tomography, allow unprecedented precision in fields like metrology and telecommunications. The observer effect, where measuring a quantum system alters its state, introduces unique challenges to quantum measurement compared to classical methods. These advanced techniques not only redefine precision measurement but also enable breakthroughs across disciplines, paving the way for applications in quantum-based meteorology and more.

The lecture explored cosmic rays and their implications, focusing on recent measurements of muons that revealed a low amplitude of about 40 nT compared to Earth's magnetic field. Researchers found a necessary enhancement factor of 17 to align the observations with cosmic ray behavior, particularly during solar storms. The discussion highlighted the existential threat posed by solar storms to technological infrastructure, prompting a U.S. executive order for preparedness. Ongoing research aims to improve predictive models, emphasizing the importance of understanding cosmic rays and solar storms to safeguard human civilization against potential disruptions.

Radio astronomy studies celestial objects using radio waves, offering insights beyond optical observations. The Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is a major facility that has advanced research on cosmic phenomena, from solar emissions to pulsars and cosmic magnetism. Recently upgraded, GMRT now offers broader frequency coverage and improved sensitivity, enhancing observational quality. The Square Kilometer Array (SKA), an international project, aims for unprecedented sensitivity, targeting early universe studies, dark energy, and SETI. With vast data demands and global collaboration, SKA represents the future of radio astronomy, expected to redefine our cosmic understanding when operational by 2024.