National Space Day 2025: Engineering in Astronomy
Date
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Location
IIIT Bangalore
National Space Day 2025: Engineering in Astronomy
Building Tools to Explore the Universe
IIIT Bangalore celebrated National Space Day 2025 with a day of curiosity and discovery, organized by the ECLIPSE Astronomy Club. The event brought together students from across campus through an expert talk, a live telescope showcase, and an astronomy quiz.
The Seminar
Dr. Prasanna Deshmukh — Engineer-D, Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Dr. Deshmukh, a specialist in astronomical instrumentation and telescope control systems, delivered a captivating talk on one of the most fundamental tools of astronomy: the telescope.
His session covered:
- Telescope design and types — from refractors and reflectors to radio and space telescopes
- Global projects underway — ambitious observatories being built across the world
- India’s role — how Indian scientists and engineers are contributing to cutting-edge international efforts
- The cost of precision — the extraordinary effort behind crafting a single telescope mirror, and what it takes to build an instrument capable of peering billions of light-years away
One of the most memorable moments was his vivid illustration of just how much human ingenuity goes into tools that let us look deeper into the cosmos.
Following the seminar, Prof. Shivakumar Malapaka, faculty mentor of ECLIPSE, presented a memento to Dr. Deshmukh.
Telescope Showcase
ECLIPSE showcased IIIT-B’s own telescope, allowing students to see the instrument up close and view striking images captured through it — sparking lively conversations and deepening interest in observational astronomy.
The Quiz
The day concluded with an Astronomy-Themed Quiz jointly conducted by ECLIPSE and QuizSoc, featuring four rounds that blended challenging concepts with fun trivia. The atmosphere was electric throughout.
Organized by ECLIPSE Astronomy Club, IIIT Bangalore. Approved by Dean (SA).