Witnessing the Universe Through Science

 The Department of Physics at Gauhati University, along with the GU Observatory, organized an event called "Aligning Wanderers" on January 25, 2025, at the university observatory. The event began at 5:30 PM and aimed to provide a clear view of the night sky using advanced telescopes while addressing common myths about space. Hundreds of students and faculty members attended the program, where they not only got to see different celestial bodies but also learned the basics of astronomy.

The event was led by Dr. Sanjeeb Kalita, an assistant professor from the Department of Physics, and his team. Dr. Kalita welcomed the audience and encouraged active participation to make the event a success. Using a powerful Galilean telescope, the audience had the opportunity to observe four planets—Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter. After standing in long queues, it was truly an unforgettable experience for me to see the planets I had only read about in books. Despite the sky being cloudy and filled with dust and smoke over the past few days, students waited patiently and eagerly for a clear view of the planets.

The Gauhati University Observatory was established in 1990 and has been organizing such observation programs for several years. The main goal of these programs is to educate people through practical experiences and help them understand how the planetary system works.

Dr. Kalita also delivered a talk on various topics, including the scale of the solar system, the contributions of Copernicus, the arrangement of planets, the celestial sphere, planetary movements, and more.

Jupiter’s moons, Saturn’s rings, Mars’ red surface, and the phases of Venus have always fascinated those interested in astronomy and astrophysics. It was inspiring to see students from non-science backgrounds also taking a keen interest, proving that science is for everyone and is present in every aspect of life. The event featured two main activities: observing planets through telescopes and a live sky simulation session.

For me, it was a wonderful experience to see planets that have long been surrounded by myths and beliefs. Their deep connection to mythology and traditional stories made me even more curious to witness them with my own eyes. I am truly grateful to the organizers and especially to Dr. Bharati Bharali from the Department of Communication and Journalism for giving us the opportunity to be part of such an enlightening event.

-Shayan Dey, 2nd Semester, Department of Communication and Journalism, GU