Date:27/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/27/stories/2005122717940400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Canada to help India on ASTROSAT, says Kasturirangan

Staff Reporter

The project is India's first astronomy satellite planned by the ISRO

Project to shed light on cosmic sources over a spectral band covering ultraviolet, low and high energy X-rays
Canada is expected to work with the project in the area of UV telescope

India's first-ever astronomy satellite is likely to be put into orbit by 2008

BANGALORE: National Institute of Advanced Studies director K. Kasturirangan on Monday said that Canada is likely to work with India on the ASTROSAT project, India's first astronomy satellite planned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to conduct studies on timing, spectral and imaging of celestial sources over a wide spectral band.

Delivering the third M.S. Ramaiah Memorial Lecture on "Exploring the Frontiers of Astronomy," organised by the Gokula Education Society here, he said the proposed ASTROSAT is expected to shed light on cosmic sources over a spectral band covering ultraviolet, low and high energy X-rays from simultaneous observation with different instruments.

Sharing information

He said Canada is expected to work with the project in the area of UV telescope.

The country would share information with other nations coming forward to conduct research activities on the findings of the data procured through the satellite.

Galaxies and supernovas

Dr. Kasturirangan said India's first-ever astronomy satellite is likely to be put into orbit by 2008. It will explore the world of galaxies, supernovas, novas and stars in the high domain of very high temperature atmospheric fields.

He talked about the recent developments in observational astronomy and their implications on the evolution of universe, besides emission of both particle and electromagnetic radiation.