Journey to the Stars

Space odeysseys are an integral part of the journeys made by metals. When the primordial Big Bang of the Universe spewed out iron atoms, they came together to make massive earth. Some pieces floating across galaxy still arive on earth and are known as meteorites. In prehistoric times this was the first encounter betwen man and metal . Thus in many languages such as French and Spanish metallurgy is called Siderurgy- literally made from stars. when Aloysius Widmanstatten rubbed some lime juice, a fascinating geometric pattern came into view. This has been caused by the separation of Fe-rich crystals nad Ni-rich crystals cooling at the rate of one million degrees centigarde per year. This leads to a scale of sepaartion on the millimetre scale, easily visible to the naked eye.

Now man is willing to send metals into space. It is remarkable that the rockets used to lift these has its motor case made out of maraging steel- an alloy of iron and nickel- the same as the ingredients of maraging steel. A remarkable opportunity arises as metals can now be processed under microgravity conditions.

Another wonderful connection can be found between astronomy and metallurgy. R Balasubramaniam of IIT Kanpur has argued that the original location of the Delhi Iron Pillar had an astronomical significance. Nirupam Raghavan, spouse of a dear friend of mine , has sought cosmic conections betwen the Nataraja icons of South India with stellar constellations such as the orion.
From V Devika's report in the Hindu of May 17, 2001


Fascinated by the stars
THE RELATIONSHIP between rational wisdom and artistic sensitivity is one of mutual enrichment and respect rather than rivalry for Dr. Nirupama Raghavan, former director, Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi.
The Prakriti Foundation recently invited her to describe her "search for ancient astronomical observations in India." Several points she raised were so interesting that it called for a deeper discussion. So shy and soft spoken is she by temperament that "it would seem almost as if she were talking to herself," was a remark once heard from a member of the audience after a lecture.
"Oh, no! I am completely convinced," said Dr. Raghavan later. "I am in the process of seeking and am overwhelmed. I feel humble when I think of the astronomers of ancient India. They recorded astronomical observations very subtly in the form of imaginative myths, icons and through the observance of festivals. They must have been so awed by all the happenings in the sky that they gave them form and shape, which people began to worhsip.
Dr. Nirupama Raghavan is a doctorate in astrophysics and a member of the Royal Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union. She has written several papers on astrophysics, air pollution modelling and science education. Her book "Celestial Hide-and-Seek" on eclipses with activities, is popular.
To her, science cannot be separated from life and culture. For science to ignore beauty and creativity in life is a limitation. The "twin-culture" hypothesis divides science and life, she says.
Her interest in astronomy was kindled in a very dramatic way. Growing up in Madras, she saw a total solar eclipse when she was fifteen. It was in 1957, when she was pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics at the Women's Christian College, that the Sputnik was launched. There was a tremendous interest in astrophysics then and a Science Congress was held at the University of Madras, Senate House and the Presidency College. There was great excitement that the Sputnik scientists might attend the congress. Dr. Raghavan and a friend dared to go to the university and seek membership to the congress but were turned away because they were too young to be eligible. However, the two young women did not give up till they were granted membership. It was a time when there were very few women pursuing a college education.
During her post graduation at the Presidency College, Nirupama was fascinated that many interesting happenings in physics were taking place inside the stars. She decided to study astronomy seriously and applied to the observatory at Kodaikanal for a Ph.d. An unconventional choice for a young woman in those days. In 1965, only the IITs had computers and allowed research students free access to them. So Nirupama went to the IIT Kharagpur to continue her work. That was where she met Raghavan who was working on his doctorate in Metallurgy. They married and went to the U.S.
After her return to India, with her two children, she did many small projects in solar and stellar atmospheres, solar system and air pollution modelling. Her husband would type out her papers and encourage her. It was when she joined the Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi, as an educator that interest in connecting science to life and context began. Here work was more people-oriented and there was a need to interpret scientific findings not only for children but also the Nobel laureates who visited the centre.
"That is when I began to tell stories relevant to the social context and from the feedback received learnt that such an informal method helped people comprehend complex concepts easily.
It was while she was looking for ancient records of a super nova, that she came up with the idea that the statue of Nataraja could have been inspired by the constellation - Orion - the super man of western astrology. The figure of Nataraja, with his left leg in the cosmic Ananda Tandava, bears a close resemblance to Orion. There are more interesting ideas since the Milky Way galaxy, called the Akasha Ganga in India, ends near Orion. Could the prabhavali be the indication of the brightness of the star and the concept of the third eye of Shiva be the super nova?
"I have a long way still to go to prove this to the scientific world but I am convinced of the possibility," she says. "One of the thrills of astronomy is its beauty. When you look up at a clear night sky, there is so much drama happening. That our past is full of observations and it was all narrated so creatively, is fascinating. Above all, I am delighted that my study connects me to this wonderful past."
V. R. DEVIKA