Mysore/Mysuru: An interaction session was conducted by the Department of Physics and Geography at SBRR Mahajana First Grade College (Autonomous) in city on the topic ‘Recent trends in Astrophysics’.

N. Amoghavarsha, Project Associate-I at COSMOS, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Mysuru, was the resource person. He was recognised with the Best Outgoing Student Award in 2022 from St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru. He commenced the session by emphasising the significance of understanding the patterns of stars for navigation, such as the use of the Pole Star for determining North.

He elaborated on the importance of timelines in astronomy and the role of mathematics in this field. Amoghavarsha provided valuable insights into the evolution of the universe and noted that its estimated age is approximately 14 billion years.

He underscored that astrophysics is a scientific discipline that incorporates the methods and principles of physics and chemistry and even some biological tools, in the study of astronomical phenomena. He explained how we can determine the age or lifespan of stars and offered evidence of the universe’s expansion. 

He also shared that 73 percent of our universe is composed of dark energy, 23% consists of dark matter, and the remaining 4% is made up of normal matter. Amoghavarsha showcased various types of telescopes and stressed their importance in astronomical research.

Furthermore, he discussed recent developments in Indian astronomy, including projects like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L-I. He showed video clips of these space missions, offering valuable insights to students and faculty. V. Gayathri from the Department of Physics, welcomed the gathering and S. Poornima proposed a vote of thanks.