News for 'astrophysics'

IIA Debunks Viral Claims of Rare Planetary Alignment

IIA Debunks Viral Claims of Rare Planetary Alignment

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has debunked viral social media claims of a rare planetary alignment on February 28, calling the claims "highly exaggerated and misleading."

Overseas residents eligible to invest in Indian equities

Overseas residents eligible to invest in Indian equities

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said individual persons residing outside India (PROI) will be permitted equity investments in listed Indian companies through a portfolio investment scheme.

'AI Makes This The Most Exciting Time To Be Alive'

'AI Makes This The Most Exciting Time To Be Alive'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'In three years, you will have an AI model that will be smarter than the smartest mathematician or the smartest scientist.'

Karnataka Bets Big On Space

Karnataka Bets Big On Space

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'This policy is a vision to position Karnataka as the epicentre of India's space ambitions'

'My daughter wants to pursue astrophysics. Pls help'

'My daughter wants to pursue astrophysics. Pls help'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2024

rediffGURU Rohit Gupta, co-founder and COO of College Vidya, offers expert advice on career programmes in India.

Thousands witness rare Blood Moon across India

Thousands witness rare Blood Moon across India

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

The excitement swept across India on Sunday night as thousands of people gathered in different cities to witness the much-awaited Total Lunar Eclipse, popularly known as the Blood Moon.

MumbaiU: Learn Astronomy, Drama, Gardening

MumbaiU: Learn Astronomy, Drama, Gardening

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The University of Mumbai's Centre for Extra Mural Studies is inviting applications for weekend certificate courses.

The Man Who Said No To The Big Bang

The Man Who Said No To The Big Bang

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Jayant Narlikar wrote alternative what-if histories, explained difficult scientific theories with funny analogies, and leavened his lectures with jokes and humorous asides.

Indian astronomers discover a rare cosmic twist

Indian astronomers discover a rare cosmic twist

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have discovered an unexpectedly high abundance of germanium in the Extreme Helium star A980, challenging existing theories about stellar chemistry and the evolution of rare stars.

India Wins 2 Gold, 2 Silver at Chemistry Olympiad 2025

India Wins 2 Gold, 2 Silver at Chemistry Olympiad 2025

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya from Jalgaon and Sandeep Kuchi from Hyderabad won gold medals while Debadatta Priyadarshi from Bhubaneshwar and Ujjwal Kesari from New Delhi secured silver at the International Chemistry Olympiad 2025 in Dubai.

What Indian Scientists Discovered About The Sun

What Indian Scientists Discovered About The Sun

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The breakthrough reveals the dazzling world of miniature plasma loops, or tiny loops, which stretch almost as long as the distance between Kashmir and Kanyakumari.The breakthrough reveals the dazzling world of miniature plasma loops, or tiny loops, which stretch almost as long as the distance between Kashmir and Kanyakumari.

'Strongest evidence' of life outside earth found

'Strongest evidence' of life outside earth found

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Researchers have detected hints of molecules known to be produced by marine organisms on the exoplanet K2-18 b, providing "the strongest evidence yet" of life outside the Solar System. While the discovery is exciting, more data is needed to confirm whether the molecules are indeed produced by life or through other chemical processes. The exoplanet, over 8.5 times as massive as Earth, lies 120 light-years from Earth and orbits the star 'K2-18'.

Research scholarships in astrophysics

Research scholarships in astrophysics

Rediff.com4 Sep 2008

Applications are invited from students for Research Scholarships at IUCAA, Pune and NCRA - TIFR.

Want a job in Astrophysics?

Want a job in Astrophysics?

Rediff.com22 Jan 2007

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics invites applications for research and software trainees to work with the Himalayan Chandra Telescope Remote Control Station.

Jayant Narlikar: A Voice That Lit The Cosmos

Jayant Narlikar: A Voice That Lit The Cosmos

Rediff.com22 May 2025

'When Dr Murli Manohar Joshi wanted to start a course on astrology, Jayant was the first one to have the courage to stand up and say astrology is not science.' 'That's a very rare quality -- to stand up to authority.'

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Why 64% MTech Seats Are Vacant in Indian Colleges

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

The growing decline of MTech applicants in Indian colleges is due to multiple factors, including outdated curricula, poor return on investment and lucrative non-engineering alternatives, say experts.

ISRO all set for launch of Aditya-L1 Sun mission

ISRO all set for launch of Aditya-L1 Sun mission

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

Aditya-L1 is a fully indigenous effort with the participation of national institutions., an ISRO official said.

Aditya-L1 takes a selfie, captures Earth, Moon

Aditya-L1 takes a selfie, captures Earth, Moon

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

The images show VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph) and SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imager) instruments as seen by the camera on-board Aditya-L1 on September 4, 2023.

Ram Lalla's 'Surya Tilak' done at Ayodhya temple on Ram Navami

Ram Lalla's 'Surya Tilak' done at Ayodhya temple on Ram Navami

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

A beam of sunlight fell directly on Ram Lalla's idol at the new temple in Ayodhya on noon Wednesday, marking the 'Surya Tilak' of the idol on the first Ram Navami since its consecration.

Aditya L1 completes 3rd earth-bound manoeuvre

Aditya L1 completes 3rd earth-bound manoeuvre

Rediff.com10 Sep 2023

Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space-based observatory that will study the Sun from a halo orbit around the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), which is located roughly 1.5 million km from the Earth.

Aditya L1 undergoes 2nd earth-bound manoeuvre: ISRO

Aditya L1 undergoes 2nd earth-bound manoeuvre: ISRO

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

Aditya L1, the first space based Indian mission to study the Sun underwent the second earth-bound manoeuvre successfully, during the early hours on Tuesday, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

ISRO likely to launch Sun mission Aditya L1 on Sept 2

ISRO likely to launch Sun mission Aditya L1 on Sept 2

Rediff.com26 Aug 2023

Aditya-L1 spacecraft is designed for providing remote observations of the solar corona and in situ observations of the solar wind at L1 (Sun-Earth Lagrangian point), which is about 1.5 million kilometres from the earth.

Ayodhya set for Ram Lalla's Surya tilak on first Ram Navami post-consecration

Ayodhya set for Ram Lalla's Surya tilak on first Ram Navami post-consecration

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

This would be the first Ram Navami since the consecration of the Ram idol at the new temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22. The system was tested by the scientists on Tuesday.

Aditya L1 spacecraft begins new trajectory to Sun-Earth L1 point

Aditya L1 spacecraft begins new trajectory to Sun-Earth L1 point

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

The Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion manoeuvre marks the beginning of the spacecraft's about 110-day trajectory to the destination around the L1 Lagrange point, a balanced gravitational location between the Earth and the Sun.

From 1.5 mn km orbit, Aditya-L1 to send 1500 images per day: Scientists

From 1.5 mn km orbit, Aditya-L1 to send 1500 images per day: Scientists

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Aditya-L1 will be launched by PSLV-C57 rocket on September 2 at 11:50 am. It carries seven payloads to study the Sun, four of which will observe the light from the Sun and the remaining three will measure insitu parameters of the plasma and magnetic fields.

ISRO all set, Sun mission to take 125 days to reach exact radius

ISRO all set, Sun mission to take 125 days to reach exact radius

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Days after landing on the Moon, India will aim for the Sun on Saturday with its maiden solar expedition, as ISRO's trusted PSLV will carry the Aditya L1 mission on a 125-day voyage to the Sun.

Why India's Sun mission is called Aditya-L1

Why India's Sun mission is called Aditya-L1

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the first Lagrangian point (L1) of the Sun-Earth system has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses, the IIA said.

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

The successful launch of Aditya-L1 - the country's maiden mission to study the Sun - is expected to garner increased investor interest in the Indian space sector and trigger more funding for private players. Several private sector players, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), MTAR Technologies, and Ananth Technologies, have played a pivotal role in the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) solar observatory mission. Aditya-L1 on Saturday set off on a 125-day journey on a PSLV-C57 rocket, in its attempt to study various elements relating to the nearest star from the halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from Earth.

The Star Gazer Stars At TIME Gala

The Star Gazer Stars At TIME Gala

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

At this year's TIME ball in New York City on Thursday, April 25, you would have run into a Coimbatore-born American scientist, looking lovely in Sabyasachi Mukherjee designer finery, who would most likely have been hanging out with Dua Lipa.

Aditya-L1 to study how Earth's climate will change in upcoming centuries

Aditya-L1 to study how Earth's climate will change in upcoming centuries

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Scientists expect to get new information about the past, present and future of the Sun after analysing the data that will be collected by India's first solar mission Aditya-L1, scheduled to be launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 2.

Aditya L1 unique mission, study of solar quakes must, says IIA scientist

Aditya L1 unique mission, study of solar quakes must, says IIA scientist

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

In this process, millions and millions of tons of solar materials are thrown into the interplanetary space, he said, adding these CMEs can travel at a speed of approximately 3,000 km per second.

Chandrayaan-2 spectrometer finds rich sodium deposits on moon for first time

Chandrayaan-2 spectrometer finds rich sodium deposits on moon for first time

Rediff.com8 Oct 2022

Chandrayaan-1 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer detected sodium from its characteristic line in X-rays which opened up the possibility of mapping the amount of sodium on the moon, ISRO said.

Scientists hail Chandrayaan-3, say feat will inspire youngsters

Scientists hail Chandrayaan-3, say feat will inspire youngsters

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Leading scientists and experts said this monumental accomplishment not only marks India's indelible imprint on lunar exploration but also demonstrates the prowess of human collaboration, determination, and cutting-edge technology.

India, Russia eyeing same window to be first on Moon's south pole

India, Russia eyeing same window to be first on Moon's south pole

Rediff.com16 Aug 2023

The race to the uncharted south pole of the Moon is quickening with India's Chandrayaan-3 and Russia's Luna-25 gearing up for lunar landings next week, each mission holding significant implications beyond the thrilling competition in the skies.

ISRO likely to launch mission to study Sun by July

ISRO likely to launch mission to study Sun by July

Rediff.com26 Jan 2023

ISRO will now conduct further testing of VELC and its eventual integration with the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, it said in a release.

Noted scientist Govind Swarup passes away

Noted scientist Govind Swarup passes away

Rediff.com8 Sep 2020

Born in 1929, Swarup was one of the pioneers of radio astronomy in India.

Rudra: The Edge of Darkness Review

Rudra: The Edge of Darkness Review

Rediff.com4 Mar 2022

For all its tall claims of edge and darkness in the title, Rudra is a rather bland, blah, posturing, personality-less take on a sinister series, observes Sukanya Verma.

Indian scientists discover 'Saraswati' -- a supercluster of galaxies

Indian scientists discover 'Saraswati' -- a supercluster of galaxies

Rediff.com14 Jul 2017

This is one of the largest known structures in the neighbourhood of the universe, 4,000 million light-years away from Earth and roughly more than 10 billion years old, IUCAA said.

Scholarships for Bachelors, Masters students

Scholarships for Bachelors, Masters students

Rediff.com11 Sep 2008

IUCAA, Pune, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata TIFR invite applications from highly motivated students.

Hawking's Indian student: 'I knew him from a time he could speak'

Hawking's Indian student: 'I knew him from a time he could speak'

Rediff.com14 Mar 2018

"He was my teacher, and I knew him from a time when he could speak. Personally it's a huge loss. Hawking is special because he is larger than life," Raychaudhury said.