Latest news with #IITGuwahati
India Today
2 days ago
- Science
- India Today
Indian scientists decode mysterious signal pattern coming from deep space
India's space observatory AstroSat has uncovered new clues about the mysterious behaviour of a distant black hole, GRS 1915+105, revealing how it flickers in X-rays with remarkable 28,000 light-years away in our Milky Way galaxy, this black hole system is helping scientists decode the extreme environment near one of the universe's most powerful its launch in 2015, AstroSat — India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space telescope — has been continuously monitoring GRS 1915+105. A team of Indian scientists from ISRO, IIT Guwahati, and the University of Haifa used two of its onboard instruments, the Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), to study the black hole's mysterious signal They found a repeating pattern: a few hundred seconds of dim X-ray light, followed by a similar period of bright light. During the brighter phases, they discovered something remarkable — fast X-ray flickers occurring 70 times per second, known as Quasi-periodic Oscillations (QPOs). These flickers vanished during the dimmer team traced this rapid flickering to the corona, a superheated cloud of plasma surrounding the black hole. During the bright phases, the corona becomes smaller and hotter, generating strong the dim phases, it cools and expands, causing the flickers to black hole is part of a binary system, pulling matter from a companion star into a hot spinning disc. As this matter heats up, it emits X-rays — the signals that AstroSat study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, provides scientists with a deeper insight into black hole findings showcase India's growing capabilities in space-based astronomy and the powerful role of AstroSat as a cosmic observatory.- EndsTrending Reel
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
‘Grounded like Dhoni, driven to make a difference in my own small way'
— Shivam Kumar Sah Since childhood, I had this habit of breaking gadgets at home – not to destroy them, but to peek inside and understand how they worked. Compact Disc players, motors, toys – anything mechanical fascinated me. Maybe that curiosity was the earliest sign that I'd end up becoming an engineer. I used to watch the Discovery Channel, try building small things at home, and mess around with motors. The idea of engineering took root early. But the turning point came in Class 9, when my dad took me to the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati). It was love at first sight – the campus, the energy, the vibe. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be in an IIT. I began my Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) preparation in 2021, right in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdowns, after my Class 10 exams. Everything was online, and it was hard to stay motivated. Without physical classrooms or peer interaction, I couldn't measure where I stood. That lack of healthy competition made me complacent, and honestly, Class 11 just slipped by. Things changed in Class 12, when offline coaching resumed. Being surrounded by hardworking friends reminded me that I had to pull up my socks. I started staying longer at the coaching centre, studying with peers, and slowly, the rhythm returned. With a lot of effort, support from teachers, blessings from my parents, and God's grace — I made it. Not exactly the way I dreamed, but I ticked that first big box. I appeared for JEE Main and Advanced in 2023, securing an All India Rank of 13,846 at JEE Advanced. It was my first attempt. I initially got Industrial Chemistry at IIT BHU, but I later changed my branch in the first semester to Mechanical Engineering, which was much closer to my interests. My dream was, however, always to pursue Aerospace, but I am happy with Mechanical – it is still about building things, solving problems, and creating real-world systems. I stepped into IIT BHU Varanasi in 2023. My parents dropped me off at the hostel. I was emotional, even scared – but that changed in a few days. Because hostels are like a wild jungle full of fearless people. You meet all kinds – the kind you've never imagined, and yet, they feel like family so quickly. In the first month, we didn't study much. We just roamed every inch of the campus, laughed, got lost, found ourselves again, and discovered our own spaces. That's how adjusting became easy – because we were all new, all figuring things out together. Fests, events, and random conversations made friendships blossom. Mess food isn't like home-cooked food, of course. But eating it with your second family – your friends – slowly made it better. We used to joke, complain, experiment with snacks – that's how bonding happens. I love staying engaged, so I joined various clubs and cells. I got into the Robotics and Programming Clubs, and now I'm an active member of the Training and Placement Cell of IIT Banaras Hindu University (BHU). I believe in staying busy – when I'm idle, I feel unproductive. Taking responsibility, working with teams, building things – it keeps me motivated. Balancing academics and clubs wasn't too hard. I made it a point to attend classes regularly, which helped me understand concepts and reduce last-minute pressure. A few weeks before exams, I'd buckle down. The rest of the time? I'd be building bots, organising fests, or chilling with friends. IIT isn't just about studying. You really live life here. Every weekend brings something – a fest, a hackathon, a guest lecture. And, most importantly, you're surrounded by people who motivate you to do better – not by pushing you down, but by growing together. Being at IIT has transformed me. I used to depend on my mom for everything. Now I manage my own routine, my own mess, my own setbacks. I've developed a more serious, grounded perspective on life. And through it all, I still hold on to one of M S Dhoni's quotes that has stuck with me: 'I want to be remembered more as a good human being than a good cricketer.' That's how I want to live – not just as a good engineer, but as a good human being. I've learned that you don't need to be the best at everything, but you should always believe – till the very last second. That belief has carried me across the line more times than talent alone ever could. My days are a mix of classes, tea breaks at Limbdi Corner, samosa with friends, and long walks around the Vishwanath Temple. Sometimes we go to the ghats of Varanasi, especially at night – the spiritual energy of the city is unmatched. I spend time in club rooms, working on robotics projects or prepping for events. I love this hands-on energy – it keeps me grounded. The teachers at IIT BHU are incredible. They're helpful, responsive, and some of them treat you like family. I still remember going to a professor's home on Bihu – he was from Guwahati too, and that evening felt like a warm slice of home. We were treated to traditional food, laughter, and care – something I'll never forget. I manage my expenses through a mix of sources – I've won a few competitions, done an internship, and, of course, my parents support me monthly. I still love playing cricket, and nowadays I've developed a liking for late-night badminton sessions with friends. It's refreshing after a long day. And yes, I write poems. It's something that calms me. A private space where I can reflect, imagine, and express what I don't say out loud. I hope I keep writing as life goes on. Also, I have a strong interest in politics – who knows, maybe one day I'll explore that field too. After all, engineers have become politicians before. What I miss the most about Guwahati isn't just the food or the weather – it's the people. My parents, my school friends, my teachers, the entire environment. I miss those early morning cricket matches during vacations – playing with a carefree mind, without any worry about the future. To be honest, I'm still exploring. I'm deeply interested in the evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and I hope to work in a space that blends AI and engineering to solve meaningful, real-world problems. But, more importantly, whatever I do, I want it to be connected to the common people. I strongly believe in giving back to society – whether it's through tech, service, or something else. I want to create something or contribute in a way that makes life a little better for someone else. And if life takes me in a different direction – maybe even into public service or politics – I won't mind, as long as it's driven by purpose. What matters most to me is being useful, staying grounded, and making a difference in my own small way. Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
United News of India
4 days ago
- Science
- United News of India
Indian scientists decode rhythms of a Black Hole: A discovery with AstroSat
Chennai, July 26 (UNI) ISRO today said India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, AstroSat, has been continuously monitoring the enigmatic black hole--the universe's most enigmatic powerhouses--since its launch in September 2015 and was providing invaluable insights into source's behaviour. A group of Indian scientists from University of Haifa, IIT Guwahati, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) observed that the X-ray brightness from GRS 1915+105 fluctuates dramatically over time", it said. This research deepens our understanding of black holes also also highlights India's growing role in space-based astronomy. Black holes, the universe's most enigmatic powerhouses, cannot be seen directly, but their immense gravity reveals their presence. Born from the collapse of massive stars that exhaust their fuel, these cosmic voids are invisible because not even light can escape their grasp. However, a black hole in a binary system with a companion star, triggers a dramatic process known as accretion, pulling in stellar material that spirals inward and heats up to over 10 million degrees (far hotter than the Sun's surface temperature of 6000 degrees). This 'super-heated' matter emits intense X-rays, which are captured by space telescopes, offering scientists a rare window into the otherwise hidden lives of black holes. In a distant corner of our galaxy (nearly 28000 light-years away) lies one of the most fascinating and mysterious black hole, GRS 1915+105. This intriguing black hole X-ray binary system, consisting of a rapidly rotating black hole with a mass about 12 times that of a Sun and its companion star, has captured the attention of scientists due to its unusual and dynamic behaviour. ISRO also depicted a schematic diagram of the complex accretion process around GRS 1915+105, forming a swirling disc (1-10 million degree) and corona (∼100 million degree) structure. "India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, AstroSat, has been continuously monitoring the enigmatic black hole GRS 1915+105 since its launch (September 2015) and provides invaluable insights into source's behaviour. Using two of its onboard instruments, namely Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), a group of Indian scientists from University of Haifa, IIT Guwahati, Indian Space Research Organization observed that the X-ray brightness from GRS 1915+105 fluctuates dramatically over time", it said. It exhibits a unique pattern of alternating low-brightness ('dips') and high-brightness ('non-dips') phases, each lasting a few hundred seconds. During the high-brightness phase, the team discovered something remarkable: rapid flickers in X-rays repeating about 70 times per second, known as Quasi-periodic Oscillations (QPOs). Interestingly, such 'fast' flickers vanish during the low-brightness phases. Explaining on what causes these mysterious 'fast' flickers', the research team uncovered that these rapid QPOs are intimately connected to a 'super-heated' cloud of energetic plasma surrounding the black hole, known as corona. During the bright high-energy phases when QPOs are strongest, the corona becomes more compact (smaller in size, R_(in) ) and significantly hotter (higher luminosity, L). Conversely, in the dimmer 'dip' phases, the corona expands (larger R_(in) ) and cools (smaller L), causing the flickers to vanish. This pattern suggests that the compact oscillating corona seems to be the origin of these fast QPO signals. These findings help scientists understand what happens in the vicinity of a black hole, where gravity is incredibly strong and conditions are extreme. Indeed, GRS 1915+105 acts as cosmic laboratory, and with AstroSat's remarkable contributions, Indian scientists are decoding the 'whispers' of this black hole. This work have been published in the prestigious journal, Monthly Notices of Royal Astronomical Society co-authored by Anuj Nandi (ISRO), Santabrata Das (IIT Guwahati), Sreehari H. (Haifa University) and Seshadri Majumder (IIT Guwahati). Overall, this research not only deepens our understanding of black holes but also highlights India's growing role in space-based astronomy. UNI GV 1030
News18
4 days ago
- Science
- News18
AstroSat helps decode mysterious black hole flickers: ISRO
Bengaluru, Jul 25 (PTI) Indian scientists are employing AstroSat, the country's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, to understand the complex behaviour exhibited by the black hole system GRS 1915+105, the ISRO said. The study conducted by researchers from ISRO, IIT Guwahati, and the University of Haifa (Israel), has revealed that the X-ray brightness from the black hole fluctuates rapidly, alternating between low brightness (dip) and high-brightness (non-dip) phases, each lasting a few hundred seconds. During these high-brightness phases, the team observed rapid X-ray flickers about 70 times per second, which is known as Quasi-Periodic Oscillations (QPOs). The research team uncovered that these rapid QPOs are intimately connected to a 'super-heated' cloud of energetic plasma surrounding the black hole, known as Corona. During the bright high-energy phases when QPOs are strongest, the corona becomes more compact and significantly hotter. Conversely, in the dimmer 'dip' phases, the corona expands and cools, causing the flickers to vanish. This pattern suggests that the compact oscillating corona seems to be the origin of these fast QPO signals, ISRO noted in a statement. This discovery was made using AstroSat's Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT). 'These findings help scientists understand what happens in the vicinity of a black hole, where gravity is incredibly strong and conditions are extreme," ISRO said. GRS 1915+105, with a mass about 12 times that of a Sun, is located about 28,000 light-years away. The study has been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and co-authored by Anuj Nandi (ISRO), Santabrata Das and Seshadri Majumder (IIT Guwahati), and Sreehari H (University of Haifa). PTI GMS GMS ROH view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 22:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PhD students boycott academic work at IIT-G against fee hike
1 2 3 Guwahati: The standoff between IIT Guwahati authorities and PhD students reached a boiling point on Thursday as students began boycotting their research work in protest against a recent fee hike. The administration had announced the increase, citing the need to fund student welfare activities, marking the first revision in seven years. While officials stated the hike for continuing students is Rs 8,900 per semester, students argue the actual increase is closer to Rs 11,000. The impasse continues as both sides stand firm on their positions. Protesting students pasted posters on the doors of their department labs, stating that there would be no TA (teaching assistant) duty, no lab work, or academic tasks by research scholars (PhD students) on Thursday. While 'unjust fee hike' was mentioned as the reason behind this boycott, exemption was given only to urgent/critical academic responsibilities of the research scholars as per the 'notice' served by the protesters. "Let's raise our collective voice. Your non-cooperation is your protest," read the bottom line of the poster. While there were no reports of any meeting with the authorities on Thursday, the protesting PhD students and some PG students took out a protest march inside the campus in the evening, seeking a written assurance from the authorities that the demands of the protesting students would be fulfilled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo "What is most shocking is the blatant disregard shown towards the students' voices — not just of one or two individuals, but of over 300 students, raising concerns over a prolonged period. Despite this, the administration refused to listen, choosing silence and ignorance over engagement and resolution. At that moment, students were left with no other option but to gather collectively to make their voices heard. This is the disturbing reality currently unfolding on the IITG campus," read a statement issued by the protesting students on Thursday. The protest has been ongoing since Tuesday, which was the date of semester registration for the July-Nov semester for PhD students. However, students refused to pay the fee due to the hike and are unable to register their names for the July-Nov semester, which triggered the protest. The IIT Guwahati authorities on Wednesday stated that only a small group of students is protesting. Howewver, the students claimed that more than 870 PhD scholars have been a part of the protest. According to sources, around 300 PhD and PG students have now taken to the streets on the campus, as they started the protest march from the administrative building to one of the entry gates through the academic complex. "This is not merely a protest. It is a demand for dignity, accountability and respect," they said in a statement issued to the media.
