Media Release

Udupi, Aug 25: Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM) celebrated National Space Day on August 24, with an engaging astronomy programme titled “Beyond the Blue”, organized by the ISTE Student Chapter of SMVITM.

Dr Nagaraj Bhat, principal, SMVITM, welcomed the resource person, Dr Nishkala K R, assistant professor, department of physics, Poornaprajna College, Udupi. Faculty members and final-year students from various departments participated in the session.

Dr Nishkala K R delivered an insightful session on solar physics, introducing students to the Sun’s magnetic fields, sunspots, solar cycles, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections, along with their possible effects on Earth’s communication and satellite systems. She also highlighted ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission and its significance in studying the Sun.

The programme further explored the vastness of the universe through a presentation by students Deepti and Neha. Using the concepts of the Pale Blue Dot and the Cosmic Calendar, they illustrated the immense scale of space and cosmic time, tracing the journey from the formation of the universe and Earth to the emergence of life and humanity.

The programme concluded with a thought-provoking reflection on how the entire history of human civilization occupies only the final moments of the cosmic calendar. The session encouraged students to appreciate the uniqueness of Earth, develop scientific curiosity, and explore the mysteries of the universe.

As part of the concluding interaction, students from various technical streams were invited to join dedicated Kannada and English astronomy groups to continue sharing astronomical knowledge, observations, and discussions.

The event successfully combined scientific knowledge, visual storytelling, and cosmic perspective, inspiring students to look beyond the familiar and nurture a lifelong curiosity about the universe.