Expert: Jayendra Upadhye - 5/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: R/Sir,
I am presently a student of class 12th.I love physics and astonomy and i have read a few books and i found it is really interesting. So. i want to do research in this field. Can you please tell me in what regards I can approach this subject and what are the degrees offered in this field in India and abroad.
Should I go with physics hohours first or engeneering or graduate in astrophysics, astronomy etc directly.
Thanking you

ANSWER: Hi,
Kavyanjali! Meaning the same as Geetanjali..a very nice name.
Coming to your question, I would direct you to
1 - Indian Institute of Astrophysics
2 - Indian Institute of Science
3 - Tata Institute of fundamental research

Many universities nowadays offer Astrophysics as a course.
Please find out.
Since I was a small kid, I have been reading lots of articles on astrophysics by people from the above said institutes.

But be reminded that academic excellence is a must.
It is quite one thing wanting to be flash gordon, and another, being one.

At your age now, you MUST keep your feet firmly planted in reality, on solid ground.

Your parents expect that much of you, so be a realist, and you will prosper.

Take a balanced decision.
If you cannot find entry in one of 3 above, it is NOT the end of the world.

Do what you can do best, and never give up your basic interests. That makes life livable and interesting.

regards &best luck
Jayen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: R/Sir,
Thank tou for your information.
Another thing I want to ask is that graduation in physics or in astronomy or astrophysics - which one is better to follow ?
Thanking you

ANSWER: Kavyanjali,
If you want to prosper, do physics,
if you want to be happy and live a contented life do physics, ...you get the drift.
In India (and I think most of Asia), becoming a somebosy in astrophysics, astronomy means you really have to be a geek in those subjects, and be prepared to slog out in TIFR or IISC, or Indian institute of Astrophysics, you must have exceptional ability in your subjects, and then furthermore be lucky!
It is a small pond with many many frogs (competition for limited resources, and so politics will be always there.
And then parochialism is another problem in India.
So think, and decide.

If you are out of India, even then astrophysics does not earn you as much money as doing research in pure physics, which opens a broader vista.

Regards
Jayen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: R/Sir,
Thank you sir for your reply.
Do the institutes like IISc,IIA,TIFR provide only bachelors in physics or astrophysics because in their official websites, only reasearch work, projects and integrated courses are written about.
What are the best govt. colleges in India that offer it and what type of admission tests they take.

Answer
Hi
Kavyanjali, sorry, I have no such knowledge.
I knew of these institutions because there are papers of great value written by people from these institutions, getting published in science magazines in India and abroad.
In Science today (publication ceased in the 1970's), most of the papaers (articles) would be from guys in TIFR and IISC.

There used to be one more magazine that was much more serious science oriented, that was a governmentally published periodical.
bad print but good science! :) I forget its name.

regards
Jayen