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Advanced B.Sc. (Physics) Summer Programme - 2019 The Advanced B.Sc. (Physics) Summer Programme was started by the joint efforts of the Gujarat ScienceAcademy, and Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), Ahmedabad in 2003, under the guidance of experts from Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), etc. This year, it was conducted duringMay 11 - June 1, 2019, at St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Ahmedabad, with the support from IUCAA, under the IUCAA Centre for Astronomy Research and Development (ICARD). Thirty five students were selected from about 300 applications received from the colleges of Gujarat on the basis of a test, their school and college performance, an essay on why they wish to participate in this programme, and from other details in the application. The course consisted of lectures in Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, and Experimental Physics. The courses were taught by faculties from PRL, IPR, andAhmedabadUniversity. The Astro-Night of the Programme was successfully conducted on May 13, 2019. All 35 students of the programme along with a few astro-enthusiasts of the city, participated in this event. A dark site, about 40 km away from the city, was identified to avoid light pollution. Vishal Joshi (Astronomy and Astrophysics Division, PRL) led the activities with the support of 3 amateur astronomers from the VASCSC. Three telescopes with apertures of 4 to 8 inch, and two binoculars were used for observations. The event began after dinner at around 10 p.m. and continued for the next 5 hours. Students were introduced to basic astronomical concepts like, the motion of stars in the sky, measuring the latitude of the site from the elevation of the Pole Star, motion of the Sun at poles, reasons for seasons and zero shadow day, magnitude system, etc. Various constellations like Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Bootes, Hercules, Virgo, Scorpio, etc. were identified along with a discussion on the scientific aspects of the bright stars of these constellations. Students were amazed to watch Jupiter, Saturn, binary stars, open clusters and other deep sky objects. Most of the students were observing these objects for the first time through a telescope. Several students also cheered some 'shooting-star' events during the observing session. Students were found to be very interactive in the discussions during the observations. They asked various questions on astrophysics and cosmology. The Astro Night was concluded with the awesome viewof theMilkyWay.All of the students had seen it for the first time. R. Rangarajan (Ahmedabad University) delivered a special lecture on Astro-Particle Physics, on May 14, 2019, and A.R. Prasanna (formerly from PRL) gave a special lecture on Gravitational Waves and Black Holes: Dominant Features of Modern Astrophysics, on May 20, 2019. Avik Dasgupta (VASCSC) delivered a lecture on Astronomy, on May 27, 2019 at VASCSC, during the students' visit to the centre. The valedictory function was conducted at the Institute for Advanced Research (IAR), Gandhinagar, and Gurudatt Gaur (IAR) was the coordinator of the programme. | KHAG L | No. 119 - JULY 2019 | 05