The Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) buzzed with youthful energy today as it hosted a vibrant National Science Day celebration, welcoming 45 students and their teachers from government schools across the Alangayam and Jamunamarathur blocks in Tirupathur District, Tamil Nadu in the program.

 

The event, designed to ignite scientific curiosity in rural communities, provided students with a hands-on and interactive look   at the wonders of physics, chemistry, and the cosmos.

 

The special program for the invited students kicked off with a series of high-energy demonstrations that turned the campus into a living laboratory. Students witnessed the chilling power of the Liquid Nitrogen experiment, watching everyday objects transform under extreme temperatures. The water rocket launch was a crowd favorite, demonstrating the fundamental laws of motion as rockets soared above the observatory grounds.

 

The intellectual highlight of the day was an inspiring talk by Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, who bridged the gap between school textbooks and the cutting edge of modern astrophysics. His session encouraged students to view science not just as a subject, but as a tool for understanding the universe and the science day as an occasion for promoting scientific temper.

Bridging the Gap: The afternoon concluded with an open Exhibition and Demonstration session. This unique opportunity allowed students to interact directly with professional astronomers, asking questions about celestial bodies, telescope technology, and careers in research.

"Seeing the spark of curiosity in these students from Alangayam and Jamunamarathur is exactly what National Science Day is about," said  Rahul Bar, the head of outreach at the Observatory. . "By opening our doors, we hope to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists."

Said Maheswar Gopinathan, scientist in charge of the Observatory, “VBO remains a cornerstone of astronomical research and public outreach in the region and we are happy to host so many students and the public on National Science Day”

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TV/RK

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