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
- ↑ https://www.astron-soc.in/viewdetails/782
- ↑ https://southasia.wisc.edu/2009-spring-lecture-series/mayank-vahia/
- ↑ https://southasia.wisc.edu/2009-spring-lecture-series/mayank-vahia/
- ↑ https://weather.com/en-IN/india/space/news/2020-10-04-how-study-of-ancient-world-can-shed-light-beginning-astronomy