Mayank Vahia

	Mayank Vahia
Born	24 September 1956; Bhuj, Kutch district, Gujarat, India
Citizenship	Indian
Alma mater	University of Mumbai
Known for	Space astronomy instrumentation, High-energy astrophysics, Archaeoastronomy
Institutions	Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; Durham University; University of Washington

Mayank Nilkanth Vahia is an Indian astronomer associated with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.^[1] He specializes in space astronomy instrumentation, high-energy astrophysics, and the study of the origin and growth of astronomy in India.^[2] Vahia is a lifetime member of the Astronomical Society of India and has made significant contributions to the field of archaeoastronomy.

Early Life and Education

Mayank Vahia was born on 24 September 1956 in Bhuj, Kutch district, Gujarat, India. His educational background includes:

B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics (1977) from the University of Mumbai
M.Sc. in Nuclear Physics (1979) from the University of Mumbai
Ph.D. in Astrophysics (1984) from the University of Mumbai

Scientific Career

Vahia's professional journey includes:

1983: Joined TIFR as a professor in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Taught physics at Durham University (UK) and the University of Washington (USA)
1986: Co-investigator on NASA's Space Shuttle Space Lab 3 Mission experiment "ANURADHA"
1996: Worked on the Indian X-ray Astronomy Experiment (IXAE)
2003: Contributed to the Solar X-Ray Spectrometer (SOXS) on Indian satellites^[3]
Led the archaeoastronomy research group at TIFR, Mumbai^[4]

Research Focus

Vahia's research interests include:

1. Understanding charge particle interaction in solar flares 2. X-ray emission from various astrophysical objects 3. Archaeoastronomy, particularly the history of astronomy in India 4. Science education and popularization

Notable Contributions

Contributed to major astronomical telescopes like IXAE and SOXS on Indian satellites
Led pioneering work in archaeoastronomy, exploring ancient Indian astronomical knowledge
Authored books on scientific topics and the history of astronomy

References

[:0-1] ttps://www.astron-soc.in/viewdetails/782

[2] ttps://southasia.wisc.edu/2009-spring-lecture-series/mayank-vahia/

[:1-3] ttps://southasia.wisc.edu/2009-spring-lecture-series/mayank-vahia/

[4] ttps://weather.com/en-IN/india/space/news/2020-10-04-how-study-of-ancient-world-can-shed-light-beginning-astronomy

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Mayank Vahia

Born	24 September 1956 Bhuj, Kutch district, Gujarat, India
Citizenship	Indian
Alma mater	University of Mumbai
Known for	Space astronomy instrumentation, High-energy astrophysics, Archaeoastronomy
Institutions	Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai Durham University University of Washington