IUCAA - Khagol # 111 - July 2017

| KHAG L | | No. 111 - JULY 2017 04 The biennial Refresher Course in Astronomy and Astrophysics for College and University Teachers was held during May 15 to June 15, 2017 at IUCAA. There were about 32 teachers from different parts of India. The course introduced the participants to Astronomy and Refresher Course on Astronomy and Astrophysics Astrophysics through a series of lectures, delivered by faculty members of IUCAA as well as from other institutions, with topics ranging from basic concepts to cutting edge research. The IUCAA Sci-Pop team organised a demonstration of night-sky watching programme for the participants, and sessions on using small telescopes for basicAstronomy andAstrophysics teaching. The course also included sessions on computing and astronomical data analysis techniques. The participants were taken on a tour to the GMRT facility. The participants were very enthusiastic throughout the course, and actively participated in the lectures and hands-on sessions, by engaging in lively discussions with the lecturers. The scientific, technical and administrative staff of IUCAAplayed a vital role in ensuring that the course ran smoothly. Santosh Khadilkar andV. Chellathurai, in particular, managed a significant part of the administrative work. The faculty coordinator for the refresher coursewasAseemParanjape. Professor U.R. Rao, Pioneer of India's Space Programme Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao (popularly known as U.R. Rao), one of the pioneers of India's space programme, passed away on July 24, 2017 at the age 85. Professor Rao chaired the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for a decade since 1984. He authored nearly 350 papers on diverse scientific and technical areas, spanning Cosmic Rays, Interplanetary Plasma, X-ray andGamma-rayAstronomy, SpaceApplications, as well as Satellite and Rocket Technology. Professor Rao received his post-graduate degree from the Banaras HinduUniversity, andwas then a member of faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Texas at Dallas in the USA during the 1960s. He returned to India to join the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad as Professor in 1966, and in 1972 moved to ISRO Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. He led the development of India's first satelliteAryabhata, which was launched in 1975. Among many other instruments, this first Indian satellite also carried a payload for X-rayAstronomy, an activity close to his heart. He remained at the helmof India's satellite programme, and helpeddevelopmanymore satellites that followed. As the chairman of ISRO, Professor Rao spurred the growth of launch vehicle development. Under his stewardship, the ASLV and PSLV rockets took shape, and he played a major role in the development of theGSLVand its cryogenic engine. Professor Rao received many awards and honours, including doctorate degrees from 25 universities around the world, and induction into the Hall of Fame of International AstronauticsAssociation and the Satellite Hall of Fame of the Society of Satellite Professionals International. He was conferred Padma Bhushan in 1976 and Padma Vibhushan in 2017 by the Government of India. Professor Rao continued to remain closely associated with ISRO activities. Most notably, he chaired the Advisory Committee for Space, which guided the planning and development of future missions and activities of ISRO. IUCAA's association with space projects, including the AstroSat and the Aditya - L1 missions, became possible due to his critical advice, help and support. For this, IUCAA remains grateful to him. His visionary approach, strong support for science missions and pragmatic guidance will be sorelymissed. Dipankar Bhattacharya, IUCAA