Students from remote Dongargarh get a glimpse of stars, galaxies & beyond, courtesy IIT Bhilai

Raipur: In alignment with IIT Bhilai's dedication to outreach and community engagement, the department of physics hosted 90 students and their teachers from Kendriya Vidyalaya Dongargarh on Saturday.
The visit, supported under the PM Shri scheme, provided students with a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge research. Nachiket Joshi, project associate in the cosmic reionization project, alongside other PhD students, conducted interactive sessions introducing students to topics like astrophysics, ionization, and solar flares. A telescope viewing session was organised for observing astronomical objects, leaving students fascinated.
The event concluded with a hands-on session in the physics department's laboratories, where students expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research.
The outreach initiative aligns with IIT Bhilai's mission to foster curiosity and a love for science among young minds. Under the leadership of director Prof. Rajiv Prakash, IIT Bhilai is driving Chhattisgarh's transformation into a hub of excellence in science and technology.
IIT Bhilai continues to advance its mission of excellence in research and teaching in STEM fields. A flagship project from the department of physics focuses on astrophysics, specifically cosmic reionization. This project, led by Dr Mahavir Sharma, is funded by the department of science and technology, govt of India, according to IIT Bhilai officials.
The research group published significant findings on galaxy formation and cosmic reionization, available on arXiv. Their work highlights the universe's evolution from a dark, neutral state to a luminous expanse filled with stars.