2004 ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS - Indian Academy of Sciences

CHAPTER 1
The committee regards this as one of its
most important recommendations.
Participation in International Projects
Multinational collaboration is the new paradigm
in big science. This is going to be true in all
branches of astronomy. Therefore, we in India
have no option but to participate in future
international ventures. While we must pursue our
own projects, we must exploit every opportunity
to collaborate in major international projects. The
necessary expertise which will empower us to do
so must be developed. In addition, one must
consciously explore the possibility of using our
facilities for complementary programmes which
will support international missions/groups, in
return for observing time with international
facilities.
The Role of the Astronomical Society of India
The committee is of the strong opinion that as the
body representing the professional astronomers,
the Astronomical Society of India should be more
proactive and should assume important
responsibilities such as:
• Organizing brainstorming sessions to define
thrust areas and key programmes.
• Help to set up Working Groups under its
auspices.
• Arranging Advanced Schools and Workshops
(following the tradition of the Italian Physical
Society and the Swiss Astronomical Society).
• Publishing Lecture Notes which Indian students
will be able to afford.
• Interacting with agencies such as the NCERT,
UGC, etc. with a view to introducing more
topics in modern astronomy in the XII standard
and Pre University level.
• Helping to promote interaction between the
active astronomers and college teachers and
students.
• Arranging refresher courses for school and
college teachers, etc.
Public Outreach
This is an area where much has to be done. The
funding agencies, the Astronomical Society of
India, the various research institutions and
individual astronomers have to contribute in a very
major way in conveying the excitement of the
latest discoveries in astronomy to the general
public. Astronomy is the most effective way to
teach people about the importance of science and
technology. The committee would like to make a
number of recommendations in this regard.
• The committee strongly recommends that
astronomical institutions develop close
links with planetaria and science
museums. They should encourage and
facilitate the interaction between the
astronomers and the staff at these centres.
• The Astronomical Society of India should
take active interest in this and help to
catalyze such an interaction.
• The ASI could also arrange refresher
courses for the staff of planetaria and
science museums, and also help them
develop display material, including
models of our major telescopes, etc.
• The committee recommends that every
observatory should set up an attractive
Science Centre . This should be modern,
and professional help should be sought in
setting up such centres.
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