INVC,,
Delhi,,
Professor Trinh X. Thuan, Professor of Astronomy at University of Virginia, USA and UNESCO Kalinga Awardee for Popularization of Science delivered a lecture on “Stars, Galaxies and the Universe” today at Nehru Planetarium, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
This lecture was organized by Heart Care Foundation of India in association with Nehru Planetarium on behalf of RVPSP, Dept. of Science & Technology Govt. of India.
Another lecture will be organized tomorrow in collaboration with and at National Science Centre, (National Council of Science Museums), Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
The function was graced by Padma Shri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India, Ms Ratnasree, Director, Nehru Planetarium and Ms Shashi Ahuja, Director, NCSTC, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
Speaking on the occassion Padma Shri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation of India said that astronomy is a fascinating subject. The more we know, the more we want to know.
Professor Trinh X. Thuan is a renowned writer of popular texts on cosmology, science, and philosophical/religious issues related to science, particularly within the French-speaking world.
The Kalinga Prize was created by UNESCO in 1952 following a donation from Late Shri Biju Patnaik, Founder and President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust in India. The purpose of the Prize is to reward the efforts of a person who has had a distinguished career as a writer, editor, lecturer, radio/television program director or film producer, which has enabled him/her to help to interpret science, research and technology to the public.
Professor Trinh X. Thuan said that the universe is full of deep mysteries that astronomers are far from understood. A number of thought-provoking topics were covered in his talk, including the beginning and end of the universe, black holes, extraterrestrial life dark matter, and dark energy.
Meant primarily for students who are non-science majors, Prof Trinh X said that every school should have an independent laboratory class, where students work individually or in small groups on observational projects. Binoculars, 6-inch through 10-inch telescopes, and photographic equipment should be and are extensively used at the department’s student observatory. In addition, some projects use computers to simulate observations taken with much larger telescopes. The various projects focus on the study of constellations, planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies. Class work is done mostly at night.
This lecture will help people understand the limitations of our knowledge and why finding solutions to these mysteries are so difficult said Dr KK Aggarwal. More than 700 school children & general public attended the Lecture.
