20/05/2026
🔭 The 44th Annual Meeting of the Astronomical Society of India concludes today at IIT Guwahati — and it has been a landmark week for astronomy in the Northeast.
More than 600 astronomers, researchers, students, and science communicators gathered on the IIT Guwahati campus, hosted by its Department of Physics, for five days of plenary talks, public lectures, workshops, and deep scientific collaboration.
Significantly, the ASI annual meeting returned to the Northeast after three decades — the last edition in this region was held at Gauhati University way back in 1996.
Beyond the auditorium, the conference reached communities across the Northeast through an extensive outreach programme:
🔭North-East India Astrophotography Competition
🔭Astrophotography Exhibitions at Guwahati Planetarium & Guwahati Science City
🔭Vigyan Pratibha Workshop for school teachers (with HBCSE-TIFR & IIT Guwahati)
🔭Teacher Training Workshop (with Guwahati Planetarium & Ellora Bigyan Manch)
🔭 Astronomy Exposure Workshop for students (with Guwahati Planetarium)
🔭 Talks by astronomers at schools and colleges across Assam (with DSE Assam & others)
🔭 Public lectures and night sky watch events (with Guwahati & Jorhat Planetariums)
🔭 Translation of astronomy outreach books into Northeast languages
Students, teachers, and astronomy enthusiasts across the region were drawn into the excitement of space science — many for the very first time.
ASI President Prof. Devendra Ojha mentioned that new facilities such as large telescopes and next-generation observational infrastructure is on the horizon, the future of astronomy in India is bright.
Prof Devendra Jalihal, Director IIT Guwahati said, "Such gatherings play an important role in inspiring young minds, especially in the Northeast, to connect with the wonders of STEM and innovation."
As Prof. Santabrata Das, Head of the Department of Physics at IIT Guwahati, said: "This conference is an invaluable opportunity for the growing community of astronomers in the Northeast."
Here's to a brighter, star-filled future for science in the region. 🌌