36th Annual Report (2023-24)

189 Research: Seminars/Colloquia organised by ICARD The research scholar Aparna Raj devised a new method for identifying restarted radio sources from all available sky radio surveys. Using the spectral curvature calculated from the multi-frequency data obtained by cross-matching the flux data from the various surveys, she could build a catalogue of 9407 candidates for restarted radio sources. She has submitted her results as a paper to the Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics (JOAA). Her proposal to observe selected sources using GMRT has been accepted. Neha, P. R. has been continuing her studies on the X-ray data from SWIFT on variable source ARK 564 and consolidating her findings as a research paper. 1. In collaboration with ICARD Newman College, Kerala, the Department of Physics, Cochin College, Kochi organised a one-day 'Regional Seminar in Physics and Astronomy' on 16 October 2023 at Cochin College, Kochi. Forty-four students from twelve colleges (affiliated with MG University and the University of Calicut, Kerala) participated in the programme. Dr Geetha M, Principal of Cochin College, delivered the presidential address. Prof. K. A. Solaman, a retired professor of the Department of Physics at St. Michael's College, Cherthala, inaugurated the event, followed by a felicitation address by Dr. Joe Jacob. Dr Sibi K. S. (Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physics, University of Kerala) engaged in the morning sessions. Dr Mathew George, Assistant Professor, Sacred Heart College, Thevara, started the afternoon session with a talk on 'Basics of Hydrogen Line Detection with a DIY Amateur Radio Telescope'. This is followed by a live demonstration of radio detection from the Milky Way galaxy using a radio telescope. The final session was on 'Aditya L1- in search of secrets of the Sun ' by Dr Joe Jacob , I CARD Coordinator, NewmanCollege. 2. The Research & Post Graduate Department of Physics and ICARD of Newman College organised a two-day workshop on Astronomical Data Processing from 01-02 March 2024 for the UG and PG students. The programme consisted of talks on the fundamentals of optical astronomy and hands-on sessions on astronomical data analysis. Dr Arun Roy (Post- doctoral fellow, IIA, Bangalore), Ms Nidhi Sabu (Research Fellow, Christ University, Bangalore), and Dr Sreedharan Bhaskaran (Post-doctoral fellow, TIFR, Mumbai) were the resource pe r sons . Fo r t y -e i gh t s t uden t s participated in the programme.` 3. The Bharata Mata College, Thrikkakara, Kochi, organised a one-day colloquium as a tribute to the legacy of Professor Thanu Padmanabhan on 23 March 2024. The colloquium served as a platform for research scholars and students to engage with the insights and expe r i ences o f P r o f es so r Padmanabhan's students, shedding light on their collaborations, research endeavours, and personal reflections on their journey alongside him. S. Shankaranarayanan (IIT Bombay), Archana Pai (IIT Bombay), Titus Mathew (CUSAT), Tejinder Singh (IUCAA), Jasjeet Singh Bagla (IISER Mohali), Dawood Kothawala (IIT Madras), Sanved Kolekar (IIA Bangalore), Suprit Singh (IIT Delhi), and, Krishnamohan Parattu (IIT Mandi) were the resource persons. 4. ICARD Newman College, Thodupuzha, conducted a one-year Active Research Training program in collaboration with Kerala Theoretical Physics Initiative (KTPI), a collective comprising of Faculty, Post Doctoral Fellows and PhD Students in the field of Theoretical Physics worldwide, with roots in Kerala. The programme conducted at the Cochin University of Science and Technology provided post-graduate students with an opportunity to collaborate with KTPI Members and engage in research projects spanning an academic year under their mentorship. A student-scientist Coordinator: Dr Joe Jacob ICARD - Newman College, Thodupuzha, Kerala (Activities from 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024)