1. Building Scientific Institutions
Jayant V. Narlikar
Inter-University Centre for
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Pune

2. Three Scientific Institutions
Cambridge Observatory
[Representing old astronomy]

4. New Post-war Era
Fred Hoyle’s brainchild: Institute of Theoretical astronomy ( )
IOTA became famous as a
Dynamic visitor-oriented institute
1972: IOTA merged with the Observatories
IOTA  IOA

6. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Created in 1946, moved to Mumbai to its present location in 1961
Source of talent for India’s atomic energy programme
Emphasize fundamental research in nuclear science and mathematics
Source of scientists for universities in India

8. The IUCAA - Story

9. IUCAA Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Established on December 29, 1988 at Pune by the University Grants Commission as a centre of excellence in the university sector with the objective: To
nucleate, promote and grow research, development and teaching of A&A in the universities and colleges in India

10. IUCAA’s Eightfold Way
As proposed in the Project Report, the IUCAA adopted a multi-pronged approach to fulfil its mandate:

11. IUCAA’s Eightfold Way
Organize research level workshops and schools for universities both at Pune and the university campuses
Create a high level academic ambience at its Pune headquarters with emphasis on basic research and facilities conducive to it

12. IUCAA’s Eightfold Way
Run an associateship programme under which users from universities can come and use IUCAA facilities at Pune; also encourage other academics to visit and participate in IUCAA’s programmes
Organize refresher courses for teachers in A&A

13. IUCAA’s Eightfold Way
Run a graduate school at IUCAA in which graduate students from IUCAA as well as from universities and colleges can participate; in addition lecture in the M.Sc. programmes of other universities on occasions
Guide universities in creating new courses in A&A or augmenting existing ones

14. IUCAA’s Eightfold Way
Act as a facilitator for university users in observing programmes at other facilities in India and abroad
Use and act as a facilitator for universities in the usage of the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope near Pune

15. A Brief History
Basic idea mooted in consultation with Yash Pal, Chairman, UGC
September 1987
UGC approved the idea formally and the Project Report was prepared
April 1988
The Government of India approved the setting up of IUCAA
November 1988

16. A Brief History
IUCAA’s Foundation Stone laid by Yash Pal
December 1998

17. A Brief History
IUCAA functioned from a single room in the Golay Bungalow of Pune University
Till September 1989

18. A Brief History
September 1989
IUCAA Moved to a temporary shed called ADITI

19. IUCAA moved to newly constructed staff colony December 1990
A Brief History
IUCAA moved to newly constructed staff colony
December 1990
IUCAA buildings dedicated with a lecture by
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar,
with Ram Reddy,
Chairman, UGC presiding
December 1992

20. A Brief History
Chandrasekhar Auditorium completed
August 1993
Science park dedicated by Armaity Desai,
Chairperson, UGC
December 1998

21. A Brief History
Mr Charles Correa,
the eminent architect
‘educated himself’ by
acquiring and reading
the Cambridge Atlas of
Astronomy

22. Facilities in Pune
Pleasant user-friendly campus which integrates the visitor accommodation with the main building, a staff colony across the road, and a 500- seater auditorium and a science park for public oriented activities

23. Facilities in Pune
A state of the art computer centre with data centre having good link/mirror sites with the leading data centres in the world

24. Facilities in Pune
An up to date library in A&A and supporting fields, with hard copy/electronic subscription to most journals in the field

25. Facilities in Pune
An instrumentation laboratory for making astronomical instruments on a do-it-yourself basis

26. Facilities in Pune
A 2m optical telescope about 85 km from IUCAA is nearing completion

27. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol

28. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol
The Foucault Pendulum

29. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol
The Foucault Pendulum
The Sierpinski Gasket

30. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol
The Foucault Pendulum
The Sierpinski Gasket
The Accretion Disc and Jets

31. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol
The Foucault Pendulum
The Sierpinski Gasket
The Accretion Disc and Jets
Binary Star with Roach Lobes

32. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol
The Foucault Pendulum
The Sierpinski Gasket
The Accretion Disc and Jets
Binary Star with Roach Lobes
The Asymmetrical Tiles

33. Scientific Exhibits at IUCAA
IUCAA’s Symbol
The Foucault Pendulum
The Sierpinski Gasket
The Accretion Disc and Jets
Binary Star with Roach Lobes
The Asymmetrical Tiles
Spiral Arms in Akashganga

34. IUCAA’s Academic Calendar
IUCAA’s pedagogical programme:
Introductory schools
Telescope Making workshops
Refresher course
Advanced summer schools
Advanced workshops

35. IUCAA’s Academic Calendar
Conferences and symposia are also hosted occasionally e.g.
VI Asia-pacific Regional meeting of IAU 1993
15th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation 1997
Meeting of the Astronomical Society of India 1994, 2002

36. IUCAA’s Academic Calendar
School and workshops through international collaborations:
IAU School for Young Astronomers (1994)
Sino-Indian School in China (1995) and IUCAA (1998)
Indo-French School at IUCAA (1995, 2000) and in Les Houches (1996)
Indo-US Workshop on Array Detectors and Image Processing (1996)

37. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
This has several modes:
Science Park with several try-yourself type exhibits

38. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
Lecture Demonstrations on 2nd and 4th Saturdays

39. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
Summer projects by schoolchildren

40. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
Public lectures by IUCAA members
Radio and TV programmes

41. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
Articles in newspapers and magazines
Public briefing on astronomical events

42. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
Night-sky viewing
Internet-operated telescope for education

43. IUCAA'S Public Outreach Programme
National Science Day

44. That’s all folks