The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) celebrated Founders’ Day on 10 August 2026, commemorating the centenary birth anniversary of Dr. M. K. Vainu Bappu, one of the pioneers of modern astronomy in India, and honouring his enduring vision, scientific contributions, and legacy. The occasion brought together the IIA community to remember the life and achievements…
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has taken an important step towards preserving and providing access to its rich institutional and scientific heritage by launching its Archival Portal. The portal was officially launched by Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairperson, Axilor Ventures and Co-founder, Infosys, in the presence of Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, IIA, during the Founder’s…
On 21 February 2026, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) celebrated National Science Day through its annual Open Day at the Koramangala campus in Bengaluru. The event, held from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, received an overwhelming response from the public, with more than 8,000 visitors attending throughout the day. Students, teachers, families, and science…
The importance of periodicity in sunspot appearance was well recognized by the mid-19th century. It marked a significant milestone in our understanding of solar activity and its broader implications for the Earth’s climate and space weather. By observing and documenting the cyclical nature of sunspots, astronomers began to unlock the patterns of solar behaviour, laying…
The IIA Library and Archives actively participated in the IIA Open Day by setting up a stall to showcase their diverse collection and services. Engaging attendees with informative posters and exhibits, the team highlighted the wealth of resources available at the library and the historical significance of the archives’ materials. The major exhibits highlighted the…
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics is commemorating the 115th anniversary of the pioneering discovery of the Evershed Effect in 1909 at the Kodaikanal Observatory. This milestone in solar physics, rooted in India, highlights the institute’s rich history spanning over 200 years, during which it has served as a hub for theoretical and observational studies of…
Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space-based observatory to study the Sun from a halo orbit around the first Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), which is located roughly 1.5 million km from Earth. On September 2, 2023, at 11.50 hrs, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C57) successfully launched the Aditya-L1 spacecraft from the Second Launch Pad of…
The scientific community is commemorating the Centenary celebration of the 1922 Indian expedition to Wallal, Australia, to observe a solar eclipse. Albert Einstein published his Theory of Relativity, arguing that gravitational objects with gravitational influence warped spacetime around them. On September 1922, a group of renowned astronomers conducted an expedition on a remote shore in…
IIA celebrated the golden jubilee of The 40-inch telescope at IIA Main Campus and Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO), Kavalur. This meeting highlighted the facility’s accomplishments over the last 50 years and honoured our esteemed guests involved in the 40-inch telescope installation. IIA library actively participated and showcased the resources during the event. The event commences…
