About a thousand students of various schools braved a rainy day to get a peek at the work of geophysicists at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in the city on Wednesday. The NGRI had opened its gates for denizens to learn about its core research areas, including seismology, gravity measurements, mineral and ground water exploration.
Students got to see huge models painted in bright colours even as scientists explained how airborne groundwater exploration was done using equipment bound to helicopters that collect data from all designated regions. Magnetic observatories that measure tsunami waves, their origin and impact also attracted a large number of students.
During the day, all the laboratories and observatories were open for public and despite vacations to schools and educational institutions, the NGRI witnessed a large turnout of science enthusiasts.
Young observers were curious to know how an earthquake can be measured and monitored, and the impact of recent earthquake due to the nuclear test explosion by North Korea. During an interaction with scientists, the students also asked when river Saraswati could be revived and about the rocks believed to be that of Ramasethu. Most scientists were found to be encouraging students with detailed explanations that led to further interactions.
At the inaugural session, Archana Bhattacharya, J.C. Bose National Fellow; former Director of Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, said space weather studies for reliable predictions were an imperative in today’s world of technology. “Without good studies that ensure accuracy, even your GPS will not work. Whenever there is some disturbance in weather, the GPS accuracy varies. In aeroplanes which use auto landing without GPS accuracy, a pilot cannot land the flight,” Ms. Bhattacharya explained. She was delivering the foundation day lecture on ‘Prediction of Weather in the near Earth Space Environment’.
V.M. Tiwari, Director of CSIR-NGRI, asked the students to dedicate their future for science with the hope that the country would have a better tomorrow.
