My experience at the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Winter School - 2024

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I participated in the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) Winter School organized by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics from January 3rd to 10th 2024.

The winter school was focused mainly on Solar Physics. We had lectures by various professors from IIA on topics like brief introduction to Magnetohydrodynamics, Atmosphere of the Sun (both upper and lower), Helioseismology, flares and CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejection), Remote sensing techniques and In-situ Observations of CMEs. Along with the lectures we also had hands-on sessions on the topics which were taught during the lectures.

One day was allotted for visiting the various telescopes in KSO: KTT (Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope), H-alpha telescope, White light Active Region Monitor (WARM), Spectroheliograph (used by John Evershed, who was at Kodaikanal during 1900s, and discovered the Evershed Effect), 6 inch refractor white light telescope, radio telescope etc.

More info about the history of Kodaikanal can be found here

We also had opportunity to go out to the city and enjoy the various tourist spots of Kodaikanal like Bryant Park, Coakers walk (stunning hill top view) etc.

The library at KSO is one among the oldest libraries in India. It had good collection of very old books dating back to 18th, and the oldest being 1794. Most of the books were of British origin, few of them Russian, and French.

Overall it was an amazing experience attending this one week winter school. It was very informative and knowledgable, and I got to know a lot more about Sun. This school was very helpful considering my Masters Project is related to Coronal Mass Ejections

 

A look into the Vainu Bappu Hall

 

Group photo - KSO Winter School 2024

Bison running around

Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope






One of the three mirrors of KTT
Spectrograph of KTT

Third mirror and lens of KTT

Tunnel of KTT

Astronomical Clock brought to KSO by British

H Alpha Telescope

Me


View from Coakers walk



Super dense clouds. Most of the forest area look like incorrectly rendered just like in games 🤣


Bryant Park


Place where the lectures were held

View from outside men's rooms

Campfire

Tree

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