Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Encyclopedia
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), with its headquarters in Bangalore
(Karnataka
state), India
, is a premier national institute of India for the study of and research into topics pertaining to astronomy
, astrophysics
and related subjects.
The Institute has a network of laboratories and observatories located in various places in India, including Kodaikanal
(the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
), Kavalur
(the Vainu Bappu Observatory
), Gauribidanur
, Hanle
(the Indian Astronomical Observatory
) and Hosakote.
(died: 1816), an officer of the East India Company
. He set up that private observatory in his residence located in Egmore
, Chennai (formerly Madras), India. The main aim of the observatory, according to Petrie, was "to provide navigational assistance to the company ships and help determine the longitudes by observing the eclipses of Moon and satellites of Jupiter".
In 1790, this private observatory was taken over by the East India Company, with Michael Topping
(1747–96) as an astronomer. In 1792, the observatory was expanded and shifted to a complex in Nungambakkam
area of Chennai. This was the first modern observatory outside Europe
.
Presently, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics functions under the control of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
.
to offer an integrated M. Tech-PhD program in astronomical instrumentation. The degrees would be awarded by both institutions. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080703/jsp/calcutta/story_9494694.jsp
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
(Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state), India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, is a premier national institute of India for the study of and research into topics pertaining to astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
and related subjects.
The Institute has a network of laboratories and observatories located in various places in India, including Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal
-Climate:Kodaikanal has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate . The temperatures are cool throughout the year due to the high elevation of the city.-Economy:...
(the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory is an solar observatory owned and operated by Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It is located on the southern tip of the Palni Hills 4 km from Kodaikanal town, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu state, South India....
), Kavalur
Kavalur
Kavalur is a village in the Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.- Demographics :As per the 2001 census, Kavalur had a total population of 1010 with 496 males and 514 females. The sex ratio was 1036. The literacy rate was 48.45....
(the Vainu Bappu Observatory
Vainu Bappu Observatory
The Vainu Bappu Observatory, or VBO for short, is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It is located in the Javadi Hills Kavalur, near vaniyambadi of vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, 175 km south-east of...
), Gauribidanur
Gauribidanur
Gauribidanur is a historical town in Kolar district; now a part of Chikballapur district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is about 75 km from Bangalore, and 25 km from the Educational Hub of Muddenahalli-Kanivenarayanapura. kannada is spoken widely as primary luanguage...
, Hanle
Hanle
Hanle can mean:* Hanle , located in eastern Indian Ladakh, near the Chinese border** The Indian Astronomical Observatory, adjacent to Hanle village, location of the highest major astronomical telescopes in the world and colloquially known as Hanle** Hanle Valley, valley containing Hanle village,...
(the Indian Astronomical Observatory
Indian Astronomical Observatory
The Indian Astronomical Observatory , located near Leh in Ladakh, India, has one of the world's highest sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes. It is operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. It is currently the second highest optical telescope in the...
) and Hosakote.
History
The origin of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics can be traced to a private observatory established by William PetrieWilliam Petrie
William Petrie was an Officer of the East India Company in Chennai during the 1780s. He set up a private observatory in his residence located in Egmore, Chennai, India. The main aim of the observatory was "to provide navigational assistance to the company ships and help determine the longitudes...
(died: 1816), an officer of the East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. He set up that private observatory in his residence located in Egmore
Egmore
-Main places:* Chennai Egmore railway station.* Office of the commissioner of Greater Chennai Police department.* Government Museum, Chennai.* Connemara Public Library, one of the biggest libraries in India.* National Art Gallery...
, Chennai (formerly Madras), India. The main aim of the observatory, according to Petrie, was "to provide navigational assistance to the company ships and help determine the longitudes by observing the eclipses of Moon and satellites of Jupiter".
In 1790, this private observatory was taken over by the East India Company, with Michael Topping
Michael Topping
thumb|Michael ToppingMichael Topping was the Chief Marine Surveyor of Fort St. George in Chennai responsible for founding the oldest modern technical school outside Europe. The Survey School was completed on May 17, 1794, with an initial intake of eight students...
(1747–96) as an astronomer. In 1792, the observatory was expanded and shifted to a complex in Nungambakkam
Nungambakkam
Nungambakkam is one of the wealthiest localities in the heart of Chennai, India's fourth largest metropolitan city. The neighborhood is abound with multi-national commercial establishments, important government offices, foreign consulates, sprawling educational institutions, shopping malls,...
area of Chennai. This was the first modern observatory outside Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Presently, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics functions under the control of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
.
Academics
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics offers graduate and doctoral programs of study and research. It has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of CalcuttaUniversity of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
to offer an integrated M. Tech-PhD program in astronomical instrumentation. The degrees would be awarded by both institutions. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080703/jsp/calcutta/story_9494694.jsp