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Item Khagol vidnyan ka shikave ?(Marathi Vidnyan Parishad Patrika, 2015-04-10) Narlikar, J. V.Item Khagolshastrdnyana avahan(loksatta, 2015-04-10) Narlikar, J. V.Item Yetya dashkatil vishwakalpanancha vikas(2015-04-10) Narlikar, J. V.Item Astronomy through the ages II(1983-01-02) Narlikar, J. V.Item Indian achievement in astronomy, astrophysics, relativity and cosmology(PHISPC, 2009-03-13) Narlikar, J. V.The chapter begins with describing the pioneering work of Meghnad Saha on stellar atmospheres, followed by the work in general relativity and cosmology in two distinct schools: N. R. Sen in Calcutta and V. V. Narlikar in Banaras. P. C. Vaidya's work (Banaras) on radiating stars is very much used today, as is B. Dart's (Calcutta) work on gravitational collapse. The Raychaudhuri equation in relativistic cosmology set the trend for future work on space-time singularities in general relativity. India has been one of the major places where alternatives (J. V. Narlikar) to the big bang cosmology have flourished. The Madras Observatory made its mark in optical observations, but post-independence India saw new facilities being created at Nainital, Kodaikanal, Kavalur, Udaipur, Gurushikhar, Han Le and Giravali. Space astronomies took off with balloons, rockets and satellites. The chapter ends with a brief critique of what have been the strengths of Indian contributions to astronomy and astrophysics, and their possible weaknesses.Item Astronomy, pseudoscience and rational thinking(Cambridge University Press, 2005-03-27) Narlikar, J. V.A strong case is made for including astronomy in the school science curriculum, as it encourages a scientific outlook. The realization that awesome natural phenomena can be explained in terms of known science can develop in students the habit of thinking rationally and help them counter superstitions that have traditionally taken root in society. A contrast with a pseudoscience like astrology will further help them to come to grips with the way real science functions.Item Astronomy at the millennium(2002-03-27) Narlikar, J. V.This paper will highlight the important developments in astronomy in the last decade of the twentieth century and in the opening years of the twenty-first, On the observational front, the discovery of extra-solar planets, the detection of gamma- ray bursts and studies of the distances of extragalactic supernovae with implications for the expansion of the universe are the major developments highlighted here. On the theoretical front, the paper reports on the speculations in very high energy physics that have implications for cosmology, the role of the cosmological constant and the quasi-steady state cosmology proposed as an alternative to the big bang.Item Inputs from astronomy into fundamental studies(University College, Cardiff Press, 1984-11-14) Narlikar, J. V.Item Statistical techniques in astronomy(Springer, 1982-08-11) Narlikar, J. V.I consider it a great honour to be invited lo address the Sixteenth Convoca tion of the Indian Statistical Institute. Indeed, may I confess to a feeling of awe which comes to me when I look at the list of distinguished persons who have preceded me ? Nevertheless I am grateful for this opportunity which enables me to highlight the impact your subject, statistics, has made on my subject, astronomy.Item Third-world astronomy network(Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2001-03-23) Narlikar, J. V.Several developing countries of the Third World have been actively interested in astronomy, as is evidenced by the membership of the IAU. The enthusiasm of individual astronomers from these countries is, however, not matched by the resources available to them to pursue their interest in astronomy, in teaching as well as research, at an above-threshold level. Major problems requiring solutions are (I) isolation from the mainstream work, which leads to research work which is not quite relevant or realistic, and to teaching based on outdated knowledge; (II) lack of financial resources, leading to shortage of books and journals in the library, insufficient computing power, out-of-date instruments, as well as inability to participate in essential activities like schools, workshops, and major international conferences and symposia; and (III) lack of handson experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation that often leads to good scientists being turned away from astronomical observations towards abstract theories. Experience of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics at Trieste, Italy and of the inter-university centres in India, like the IUCAA at Pune, has shown that limited resources can be made to go a long way by sharing, networking and intelligent use of communications technology. Based on the above experience, this proposal envisages setting up a Third World Astronomy Network (TWAN) under the auspices of the IAU, within the wider ICSU-umbrella with support from the UNESCO as well as participating nations. The TWAN will operate with a few key institutions as local nodal points of a wide network. The objectives of the proposed TWAN and the role of the Nodal Institutions (NIs) are spelled out in this proposal, along with the budgetary support required.