Assam: Tezpur University unveils secrets of Sun with Aditya-L1 workshop

Guwahati: The Department of Physics at Tezpur University ignited curiosity about our star today (March 6th, 2024) by launching a workshop titled "SUIT Science and Data Analysis."

This intensive program delves into the inner workings of the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) onboard India's Aditya-L1 mission.

The workshop equips scientists and students with the expertise to utilize this powerful instrument to its fullest potential.

Aditya-L1, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is a groundbreaking scientific endeavor designed to unravel the mysteries of the Sun.

Renowned solar physicist Prof. Durgesh Tripathi and Prof. A. N. Ramaprakash, an expert in astronomical instrumentation from the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, graced the inaugural ceremony with their presence.

Joining them was Mr. Janmejoy Sarkar, a Tezpur University Physics Department PhD scholar and Senior Research Fellow at IUCAA, Pune. Mr. Sarkar played a pivotal role in developing IUCAA's Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope onboard Aditya-L1 under the guidance of Prof. Tripathi and Prof. Ramaprakash.

University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, lauded the Department of Physics for this initiative.

He emphasized the unique opportunity for students to learn directly from the leading minds behind the Aditya mission.

"This workshop promises to be immensely valuable for participants, inspiring them to pursue similar paths in scientific exploration," said Prof. Singh.

Prof. Tripathi, in his address, highlighted the captivating nature of solar physics, a field dedicated to unlocking the secrets of our Sun.

He elaborated on scientists' ongoing quest to understand fundamental solar processes like solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the solar wind.

These phenomena, Prof. Tripathi explained, not only influence the Sun's behavior but also significantly impact space weather, potentially disrupting communication systems and satellites.

Prof. Ramaprakash, addressing the gathering, expressed his belief that advancements in technology are propelling the field of astrophysics towards a golden age.

He pointed to missions like Aditya-L1 and the James Webb Space Telescope, which are empowering scientists with unprecedented opportunities for orbital observations and data collection.