The Astrophysical Sciences Division operates three outstation facilities at Mt. Abu, Srinagar and Gulmarg. The activities at the Mumbai and Mt. Abu laboratories are centred around high-energy Gamma Ray Astronomy, Theoretical Astrophysics and Instrumentation Development, while a low energy Neutron Monitor is operated at the High Altitude Research Laboratory, Gulmarg. Locally relevant Radiation Application studies and Instrumentation Development activities are being pursued in the Srinagar laboratory.

GOALS Observatory, Mt. Abu HARL, Gulmarg

Major Activities of the Division

  • Gamma Ray Astronomy

  • Theoretical Astrophysics

  • Instrumentation Development

  • Radiation application studies

Collaborating Divisions within BARC -

Electronics Division, Center for Design & Manufacture, Computer Division, Control & Instrumentation Division, Spectroscopy Division, Nuclear Physics Division and Environmental Assessment Division.

Collaborating Institutes within the country -

  • Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

  • Physical Research Laboratory, Ahemdabad.

  • Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Banglore.

  • Inter University Centre for Astronomy Astrophysics, Pune.

International collaborations -

  • P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow.

  • Forschungszentrum, Karlsruhe, Germany.

  • Centre D’Etudes Nudeaires de, Bordeaux, France.

RADIATION APPLICATION STUDIES :

Radiation Applications programme at our srinagar laboratory is centered around the Co-60 PANaromic Batch IrradiaTor (PANBIT). Installed in 1983-84, the PANBIT has been extensively used for sterlisation of hospital products and mutation studies of flowers like saffron, tulips etc grown in the kashmir valley. Study of radiation induced shelf life extension of delicate fruits like pears and strawberries has also been intiated recently.

Colour Comparision of irradiated and non-irradiated pears
CV. Bartlett