Latest news with #AryabhattaResearchInstituteofObservationalSciences
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Unchecked construction fuelling rise in natural disasters in Uttarakhand: Scientists
DEHRADUN: Unchecked human intervention in sensitive Himalayan states like Uttarakhand is ringing alarm bells for nature, transforming pristine beauty into a breeding ground for disaster. Rapid, uncontrolled construction in these ecologically fragile mountainous regions, rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, is not merely disturbing the environmental balance but is now directly fuelling a surge in natural calamities. Senior scientists at Nainital's Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) assert that the haphazard construction of buildings and roads is profoundly impacting the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. Experts explain that mountain soil is inherently fragile. Large-scale excavation and construction not only diminish the soil's natural water retention capacity but also destabilise the delicate climatic system. This disturbance is having a direct and alarming impact on regional weather patterns. Notably, there's been a significant increase in 'local cloud formation' – an unusual accumulation of clouds at lower altitudes in mountainous areas. These low-lying clouds are prone to sudden, intense bursts of rainfall, leading to a surge in devastating cloudburst incidents.
India.com
04-07-2025
- Science
- India.com
Why Every Astronomy Lover Is Secretly Obsessed With Stargazing In Delhi
Indian capital Delhi emerges as a destination where people typically think of historical heritage alongside cultural diversity and urban overcrowding. Cities that showcase skyscrapers throughout their streetscape and heavy population density actually host a sprawling location suitable for space observation. Despite widespread light pollution that afflicts most metropolitan areas worldwide Delhi creates specific chances for astronomy enthusiasts to study celestial bodies. The following seven points demonstrate why Delhi functions as an ideal place for people who love to observe stars. 1. Proximity to World-Class Observatories The prime position of Delhi lets people access the top astronomical observatories in India. Remote observers who seek access to the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) located in Nainital, Uttarakhand and the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) located in Hanle, Ladakh can easily reach these facilities through their willingness to travel. Research facilities located here enable scientists and astronomy enthusiasts to monitor and analyze supernovae, galaxies along with exoplanets through their state-of-the-art telescope equipment. Residents in Delhi can use these establishments to expand their knowledge of the night sky through travel beyond the city limits. 2. Thriving Amateur Astronomy Community In Delhi an active amateur astronomy community exists which organizes multiple activities such as star parties as well as workshops and public lectures. The Amateur Astronomers Association Delhi (AAAD) stands as a key organization which sparks astronomy interest for people at all life stages. Through its outreach programs AAAD hosts telescope viewing events which occur at visited locations including Nehru Planetarium and Lodhi Gardens. These programs establish conditions which welcome novice and expert observers of the stars in their exploration of the night sky. 3. Nehru Planetarium: A Hub for Learning Delhi residents study astronomy through the Nehru Planetarium which resides at Gate No. 1 of Teen Murti Bhavan. This establishment presents entertaining shows combined with planetarium features and interactive educational programs about cosmic phenomena along with space exploration activities. The facility engages in unique events that occur when eclipses meet meteor showers and planetary alignments appear in space. The Nehru Planetarium teaches valuable scientific knowledge through delightful shows which prompt numerous visitors to gaze up at the stars in both learning and interest. 4. Seasonal Clarity During Winter Months The capital of India faces widespread air pollution throughout its normal seasons yet winter brings better air quality since humidity and airborne particles decrease in the atmosphere. The city maintains better visibility from November to February which makes it perfect for observing planets and deep-sky objects and constellations. Urban observations become easier because of the seasonal clarity which emerges during winter months in Delhi. 5. Historical Connection to Astronomy Astronomy has belonged to Delhi for centuries due to its Mughal origins. The historical observatory Jantar Mantar was built as a magnificent architectural structure by Maharaja Jai Singh II during the early 18th century. Several large instruments at the observatory both monitor time intervals and space activity as well as forecast lunar eclipses. Jantar Mantar remains an attraction point for individuals who study historical astronomy methods together with those who value its cultural value. 6. Access to Cutting-Edge Technology No other time has seen more convenient access to stargazing activities compared to the present era of technological enhancement. People interested in astronomy within Delhi can use budget-friendly powerful telescopes alongside smartphone applications and internet tools which improve their observational experiences. SkySafari together with Stellarium allows smartphone users to discover stellar objects when they orient their devices toward the starry night. Stargazers in the same area can use both online forums and social media groups to exchange knowledge and coordinate their observation sessions and get helpful tips from each other. 7. Opportunities for Urban Astrophotography The highly populated character of Delhi does not prevent astrophotography enthusiasts from capturing astronomical images in this city. Photographers find suitable areas to shoot the night sky lighting at Lodhi Gardens and Sanjay Van and Yamuna Biodiversity Park. Urban astrophotographers who have both patience and proper equipment can document celestial wonders including the Milky Way together with lunar craters and bright constellations. Post-processing enhances images by reducing light pollution effects which leads to extraordinary visual results. Final Thoughts Delhi emerges as a suitable stargazing destination thanks to its combination of resources along with supportive communities and excellent annual weather conditions. Newcomers alongside seasoned observers will find plenty of chances to experience cosmic observations throughout Delhi. The city of Delhi welcomes all visitors to share in both its molecular observatories and communal astronomical activities so they can experience celestial wonders under the night sky. Delhi promises to keep welcoming its astronomy enthusiasts because public interest in astronomy expands while technology develops.
Gulf News
17-04-2025
- Science
- Gulf News
Indian telescopes shed light on elusive ‘middleweight' black holes
New Delhi: Astrophysicists from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have successfully detected and measured the properties of an intermedia black hole (IMBH). IMBH which has remained elusive is found in a faint galaxy called NGC 4395 about 4.3 million light-years away from Earth. Using the 3.6m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) -- India's largest optical telescope --, the team found that gas clouds orbit the black hole at a distance of 125 light-minutes (around 2.25 billion kilometre) with a velocity dispersion of 545 km per second. 'The discovery refines our understanding about how black holes, especially those that weigh between 100 and 100,000 Suns, grow and interact with their surroundings,' the scientists said. For decades, astronomers have searched for a missing link in the cosmic black hole family: the elusive Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs). IMBHs are thought to be the seeds that grow into supermassive black holes. However, their faint nature and location in small galaxies make them extremely difficult to observe. Unlike their larger counterparts, they don't generate bright emissions unless they're actively pulling in matter, making advanced observational techniques essential. The team of astrophysicists, led by Shivangi Pandey studied NGC 4395 -- a low-luminosity active galaxy hosting one of the faintest actively feeding black holes ever observed. They used the 3.6m DOT, and its indigenously developed spectrograph and camera ADFOSC, along with the smaller 1.3m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT) located at the Devasthal Observatory of ARIES in Uttarakhand's Nainital. The team monitored the object continuously for two nights using both telescopes and applied a special technique called spectrophotometric reverberation mapping. This technique measures the delay between light emitted by the black hole's accretion disk and the surrounding gas clouds (broad-line region). This delay, or time lag, revealed the region's size and helped calculate the black hole's mass, said the team. The results, published in the Astrophysical Journal, showed that 'the IMBH weighs about 22,000 times the Sun's mass, making it one of the most precisely measured intermediate-mass black holes. The black hole consumes matter at just 6 per cent of its maximum theoretical rate'. 'The hunt for more IMBHs is far from over. Larger telescopes and advanced instruments will be key to uncovering these cosmic middleweights,' said Dr Suvendu Rakshit, a scientist at ARIES.
