#Multi-Spectral-Astronomy

The Antariksh Club hosted a guest lecture on October 5, 2023, by Prof. Dhruba Saikia, who discussed the "Role of Technology in a Multi-Messenger View of our Universe." The talk explored ancient astronomy, the scientific method, and the use of various technologies in modern astronomy, including telescopes across the electromagnetic spectrum, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Square Kilometer Array. Prof. Saikia highlighted the limitations of human vision and the challenges of X-ray telescopes. The event deepened participants' understanding of the technological advancements driving astronomical discoveries.

LIGO India is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing gravitational wave astronomy by improving detection and localization of cosmic events. Established under the Indian Initiative in Gravitational Wave Observations, it addresses limitations of existing detectors by introducing a third observatory that significantly refines triangulation capabilities. The project promises advancements in astrophysics, fundamental science, and technology, while also fostering interdisciplinary research and collaboration. As construction progresses, LIGO India is set to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, paving the way for new discoveries and educational opportunities for students and researchers in various fields.

Prof. Ajit Kembhavi's lecture provided an in-depth exploration of modern astronomical techniques, focusing on the impact of Earth's atmosphere on observations and advancements in telescope technology. He discussed adaptive optics, which compensates for atmospheric distortions, and highlighted significant telescopes like the Keck and the upcoming 30 Meter Telescope. Prof. Kembhavi emphasized India's growing role in global astronomy, showcasing contributions from institutions like the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. He also covered space missions, including the Mars Orbiter and Astrosat, and upcoming initiatives like the Aditya mission, underscoring the importance of technological innovations for advancing our understanding of the universe.

This lecture explores the mechanics of tracking celestial objects with telescopes, emphasizing the impact of Earth's rotation and the complex adjustments required to maintain focus. Using an Altazimuth mount, telescopes like the Gemini (with its 8-meter mirror) face engineering challenges related to weight, stability, and alignment, especially in mountain environments with wind and temperature variations. Additionally, atmospheric turbulence impacts observation quality, causing a phenomenon known as "atmospheric seeing," where turbulent air distorts light, degrading image clarity. Advances in technology continue to improve telescope designs, allowing more precise astronomical observations despite environmental challenges.

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.

X-ray astronomy, emerging in the 1960s, studies celestial objects through their X-ray emissions, providing insights into high-energy phenomena like black holes and supernovae. The Astrosat mission enhances this field with multi-wavelength observations using instruments such as the Soft X-ray Telescope and Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager. Key findings include variability in active galactic nuclei and the detection of gamma-ray bursts. Over the past 50 years, advancements in technology have propelled X-ray astronomy forward, contributing significantly to cosmology and our understanding of the universe. The analogy of the blind men and the elephant illustrates the need for multi-wavelength approaches in this research.