Chasing Stars: A Cosmic Journey Through South India





Indian Pitta at Kavalur

The vibrant Indian Pitta, often seen in Kavalur’s lush forests, adds a splash of color to this astronomical haven.

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12 - Nov - 2024



Exploring the Cosmos: South India Astro Study Tour


Join me on an exciting journey through some of South India's most fascinating astronomical sites. From cutting-edge research facilities to historic observatories, this tour promises to be a celestial delight!


 1. Thumba – ISRO Museum

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala  

The ISRO Museum at Thumba, part of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, showcases India's space journey. Housed in a former church where India's first rocket was assembled, it offers a unique glimpse into the early days of the Indian space program.  

- Did you know that the church's bishop's house served as the office for the first ISRO scientists? This site is considered the birthplace of the Indian space program.


 2. Ooty Radio Telescope

Location: Muthorai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu  

This 530-meter-long cylindrical parabolic antenna is part of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics. It primarily studies interplanetary scintillation, providing crucial data on solar winds and magnetic storms.  

-The Ooty Radio Telescope is one of the world's largest steerable radio telescopes, designed and fabricated entirely with Indian technological resources.


 3. Cosmic Ray Observatory at Ooty

Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu  

This observatory focuses on studying cosmic rays and gamma rays using an array of 400 scintillator detectors. It aims to understand high-energy cosmic phenomena.  

-The observatory operates the GRAPES-3 experiment, which is one of the most sensitive instruments for detecting cosmic rays and has contributed significantly to our understanding of solar and cosmic radiation.


 4. Kodaikanal Solar Observatory and Museum

Location: Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu  

Established in 1899, this observatory is dedicated to solar observations. It has one of the longest continuous series of solar data in the world.  

- The Evershed effect, a significant solar phenomenon, was first detected here in 1909. The observatory's unique location allows for precise observations of the equatorial electrojet.


 5. Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur

Location: Kavalur, Tamil Nadu  

Home to India's one of the largest optical telescope, the 2.3-meter Vainu Bappu Telescope, this observatory conducts extensive research in optical astronomy.  

Named after M.K. Vainu Bappu, who discovered a comet from this site, the observatory is located in a forested area that is also home to various wildlife, including deer and rare birds.

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