Pratidhvani - Humanizing Science

Ep. 48 : Conversation with Jayant Murthy - Space Missions, Science Outreach & Asteroid Namesake

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Jayant Murthy is a distinguished Senior Professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. His research focuses on space missions, interstellar dust, and diffuse radiation fields. With a rich scientific background, a deep love for teaching and notable contributions to the discipline, Murthy's work exemplifies excellence in astrophysical research.

Explore further at Jayant Murthy's website: https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Home.html


In this episode we discuss his biography. He explained how and why he became interested in astronomy and astrophysics. His ventures in teaching and a freewheeling discussion on science, rationality and society.

Jayant was recently commemorated with the naming of asteroid "(215884) Jayantmurthy" by the IAU, acknowledging his significant advancements in ultraviolet astronomy and space missions. We explore how that happened.


There are many other interesting strands in the conversation. Listen, as we humanize science.


References :

  1. Jayant Murthy [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Home.html (accessed 4.2.24).
  2. ‪Jayant Murthy‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬ [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=Gdv6OEsAAAAJ&hl=en (accessed 4.2.24).
  3. Bureau, T.H., 2024. Asteroid named after Bengaluru Professor. The Hindu.
  4. Henry, R.C., 2005. The mental Universe. Nature 436, 29–29. https://doi.org/10.1038/436029a
  5. IIAstrophysics [@IIABengaluru], 2024. We are happy to announce that the asteroid 2005 EX296 has been named as “(215884) Jayantmurthy” by @IAU_org in honour of Prof Jayant Murthy! He is Honorary Prof & former acting director at IIA. @dstindia @doot_iia @asipoec @fiddlingstars @SPG_IIA https://t.co/E1k6MytYsY. Twitter.
  6. International Astronomical Union | IAU [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iau.org/ (accessed 4.2.24).
  7. Jayant’s Class Presentations [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Teaching.html (accessed 4.2.24).
  8. Kumar, A., Ghosh, S.K., Hutchings, J., Kamath, P.U., Kathiravan, S., Mahesh, P.K., Murthy, J., Nagbhushana, S., Pati, A.K., Rao, M.N., Rao, N.K., Sriram, S., Tandon, S.N., 2012. Ultraviolet imaging telescope (UVIT) on ASTROSAT, in: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray. Presented at the Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, SPIE, pp. 455–466. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.924507
  9. Latest Updates | Astronomical Society of India [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.astron-soc.in/ (accessed 4.2.24).
  10. Murthy, J., Henry, R.C., Overduin, J., 2023. Dust scattered radiation in the galactic poles. J Astrophys Astron 44, 82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12036-023-09973-5
  11. Professor Richard Conn Henry [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://henry.pha.jhu.edu/rch.html (accessed 4.2.24).
  12. Singh, K.P., et al., 2014. ASTROSAT mission, in: Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray. Presented at the Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, SPIE, pp. 517–531. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2062667
  13. Slide 1 [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iiap.res.in/people/personnel/murthy/Jayant_Murthy/Teaching_files/history_of_astronomy/siframes.html (accessed 4.2.24).
  14. Zachariah, P., 2024. ‘Our world is built on basic science, and part of basic science is rationality.’ The Hindu.
  15. ಡಾ. ನಳಿನಿಮೂರ್ತಿ | Dr. Nalini Murthy – Hemanth Sahitya, n.d. URL https://hemanthsahitya.com/book-author/d-nalinimurthy/ (accessed 4.3.24).

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    Pratidhvani - Humanizing ScienceBy G V Pavan Kumar