Centre of Astrophysics will be opened today

Belagavi: The Gogte Institute of Technology (GIT) of Karnataka Law Society (KLS) has established the Centre of Astrophysics at its Belagavi campus, in association with Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by KLS chairman and AAI director recently, formalising the relation between both institutions. The centre will be inaugurated by IIA director Prof Annapurni Subramaniam on Saturday, in the presence of KLS president Anand Mandgi and chairman Pradep Sawkar. IIA coordinator Ravindra B will also be present.Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Rajendra Belgaumkar, governing body chairman of GIT, said the Centre of Astrophysics has set up an observation facility with a 10-inch Meade telescope and a movable dome. Stargazing sessions have been held for more than thousand students of schools and colleges. The centre has also set up a library, a laboratory, and a computation facility towards conduction of courses and research in astronomy.Belgaumkar said the Centre proposes to offer certificate courses. The students in schools and colleges in Belagavi will have access to the facilities and can opt for certificate courses offered by the Centre. “We have also planned to offer short-term research projects for undergraduate and post graduate students in astronomy, astrophysics and space science in future jointly by GIT and IIA. These projects are expected to expose students to scientific research in general and space research in particular,” he elaborated.Benny Dayal to perform today at ‘Aura-2023’ Popular playback singer Benny Dayal will be performing a live concert on Saturday at evening at GIT campus here, on the last day of GIT’s annual signature event ‘Aura-2023’, a three-day cultural festival with the theme as ‘carnival of cultures. Belgaumkar said more than 5,000 GITians are expected to attend the 9th edition of ‘Aura’.He said ‘Aura’ is a three-day national-level cultural festival in which more than 75 institutions from North-Karnataka, Southern Maharashtra and Goa will take part. GIT offers one of the largest forums for the students to showcase their abilities through ‘Aura’.