Education news
Dr. Ramya Manjunath Chosen as Lead Scientist for NASA PUFFINS Mission
· Source: Amar Ujala
India-born Dr. Ramya Manjunath Anche has been selected as the lead scientist for NASA's PUFFINS space mission, valued at around $20 million (over Rs 180 crore). The mission aims to study tiny interstellar dust particles that form the universe using a satellite in low Earth orbit.
NASA PUFFINS Mission Overview
Dr. Ramya Manjunath Anche will lead NASA's space mission named PUFFINS. With a budget of approximately $20 million (more than Rs 180 crore), the mission's goal is to unravel the mysteries of tiny dust particles floating in space from which the universe was created.
- A small satellite equipped with an approximately 10-inch telescope will be sent into low Earth orbit.
- The satellite will study ultraviolet light coming from around 70 distant stars.
Dr. Ramya Manjunath's Education and Career Journey
Hailing from Devanahalli in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Dr. Ramya completed her education in India after being inspired by Kalpana Chawla, India's first woman astronaut. She completed her engineering degree, pursued advanced research, and gained international scientific experience across India, China, and the USA.
| Year / Period | Institution / Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Visvesvaraya Technological University | Obtained BE degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
| 2012 | Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) | Joined to pursue research in astronomical instruments and light properties |
| 2015–2019 | Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) | Completed PhD focusing on scientific techniques to analyze light from distant stars |
| Post-PhD | National Astronomical Observatories, China | Worked as a research engineer and prepared a polarization model of light for an Advanced Space Solar Observatory instrument |
| Subsequent | IUCAA, India | Continued scientific research |
| October 2021 | Steward Observatory, University of Arizona (USA) | Joined as a postdoctoral researcher and later became Assistant Research Professor focused on space telescopes and scientific instruments |
Questions
What is the PUFFINS mission led by Dr. Ramya Manjunath?
PUFFINS is a NASA space mission costing around $20 million (over Rs 180 crore) that will use a small satellite with a 10-inch telescope to study ultraviolet light from about 70 distant stars.
Where did Dr. Ramya Manjunath complete her education?
She completed her entire education in India, earning a BE from Visvesvaraya Technological University in 2011 and a PhD from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics between 2015 and 2019.
What inspired Dr. Ramya Manjunath to pursue space science?
She was inspired in her childhood by the story of Kalpana Chawla, India's first woman astronaut.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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