MSV-2035 Astronomy Document - Inside Design - FINAL - FINAL

Astronomy & Astrophysics 39 4 STATUS OF NATIONAL R&D EFFORTS Research in astronomy and astrophysics in India encompasses a wide range of topics in both theoretical and observational areas. Indian astronomers have made several notable contributions to the world of astronomy right through ancient to modern eras, and have been innovative in utilising its relatively limited resources in both ground and space-based astronomy, as well as utilising facilities available elsewhere. Astrophysics groups at ARIES, IIA, IISc, IMSc, IUCAA, PRL, RRI, TIFR and in many Universities like Delhi University, Jamia Milia Islamia, JNU, Osmania University, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Panjab University, Presidency University Kolkata (to name a few), and several central universities, several IITs and IISERs, NISER, IIST andNITs are actively involved in research in astronomy and astrophysics. Figure 3: A broad layout of Indian ground & space-based multi-wavelength astronomical facilities. The figure highlights existing/ongoing observational facilities along with those proposed, including astronomy related mega- projects. The visualization clearly indicates well-defined science and technological goals to conduct frontline science, using cutting-edge technology with industry engagements, leading towards large societal benefits in the national interest. Modern astronomy in the country can be traced to the setting up of theMadras Observatory in 1786, which later moved to Kodaikanal with the establishment of the Kodaikanal Observatory in 1899. These observatories led to the production of “The General Catalogue of 11000 Southern Stars” in 1843 and the discovery of the “Evershed Effect” fromKodaikanal in 1909. Observatories in India were part of Carte du Ciel, the first international project to produce a photographic atlas of the sky starting in 1890s. Post-independence, the efforts of renowned observational astronomers such as Vainu Bappu, Govind Swarup, V. Radhakrishnan, Arvind Bhatnagar (to name a few) saw the establishment of MEGA SCIENCE VISION-2035