Exploring the Cosmos: Astronomers Illuminate Modern Space Science in Dhaka

A unique lecture on modern aspects of space science was held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka on Sunday evening. The event featured presentations by two prominent astronomers and researchers, Dr. Syeda Lammim Ahad and Ruslan Brilenkov. Dr. Ahad is a postdoctoral fellow at the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics, University of Waterloo, Canada, while Mr. Brilenkov is a PhD researcher at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, Netherlands.

Organized by the Society for the Popularization of Science in Bangladesh (SPSB) in collaboration with the Bangladesh Astronomical Society, the lecture began at 5 PM and was attended by approximately 60 participants.

Dr. Ahad’s session delved into profound cosmic mysteries, including the nature of dark matter and dark energy, galaxy evolution, and the potential for extraterrestrial life. She highlighted the contributions of the European Space Agency's Euclid Mission and other astronomical surveys in addressing these enigmatic questions.

Mr. Brilenkov focused on the effective utilization of big data in astronomy, explaining the significance of its four dimensions: volume, variety, velocity, and veracity. He underscored the revolutionary impact of the Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), which will collect 20 terabytes of data every night.

The speakers also discussed the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in space science and emphasized the importance of public participation through citizen science projects. An engaging Q&A session followed, during which participants explored avenues for contributing to global space projects from Bangladesh.

Since 2009, the SPSB and the Bangladesh Astronomical Society have organized this annual lecture to honor the legacy of Radha Gobinda Chandra, a pioneering astronomer of the Indian subcontinent. Each session begins with a tribute to his life and remarkable contributions to astronomy.