IST Astronomy Division 

The Astronomy Division of the Indian Space Team (IST) is the "scientific eye" of the organization. While the Propulsion and Structure departments focus on how to get to space, the Astronomy Division focuses on what we find there.

Registered as an official ISRO Space Tutor, this division serves as a bridge between high-level cosmic research and public scientific literacy.

Core Research Focus

The Astronomy Division directs its resources toward three primary pillars of research:

1. Solar & Planetary Studies

Inspired by missions like Aditya-L1, this division researches solar dynamics and their impact on the Earth's ionosphere.

• Focus: Tracking solar flares and sunspots to understand space weather.

• Planetary Science: Analyzing data related to lunar and Martian surfaces, supporting the IST’s mission to eventually send payloads that can study extraterrestrial soil.

2. Time-Domain Astronomy & Sky Surveys

The division focuses on "transient" events—celestial phenomena that change rapidly over time.

• Observation: Monitoring variable stars, supernovae, and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) like asteroids.

• Sky Mapping: Using both ground-based telescopes and public data from space observatories (like AstroSat) to help map unexplored regions of the deep sky.

3. AI-Driven Data Analysis

In 2026, the volume of data from space is too large for humans to sort manually. The Astronomy Division is developing:

• Algorithms: Machine learning tools to automatically detect asteroids or identify "anomalies" in large star-field images.

• Citizen Science: Creating platforms where students across India can help categorize astronomical data through IST's national network.

Educational & Outreach Mission

As an ISRO-listed tutor (Entry #192), the Astronomy Division leads the "Space for All" initiative:

• Mobile Observatories: Taking telescopes to rural schools in Uttar Pradesh and beyond to give students their first look at the rings of Saturn or the moons of Jupiter.

• Workshops: Conducting "Project Paridhi" and "Asteroid Search Campaigns" where students use real satellite data to look for undiscovered space rocks.

• National Science Festivals: Representing IST at major events like the India International Science Festival (IISF) to present research on the NAMBI engine's potential for launching scientific instruments.

Strategic Vision: The Global Eye

The Astronomy Division is moving toward "Global Collaboration" as of 2026. By sharing localized sky-survey data with international partners, they ensure that rural Indian researchers are contributing to the global map of the universe.

Division Motto: "From the village soil to the stellar Exploration."