From solar flares to existential queries: A journey through cosmos

Kolkata: In a thought-provoking session that blurred the lines between science and philosophy, a renowned astrophysicist and former director of MP Birla Planetarium, Dr Debiprosad Duari invited students to confront the possibility that human existence is a product of sheer cosmic accident. He underscored the precarious nature of our existence by describing the sun as a massive ball of gas where two opposing forces are locked in a perfect, life-sustaining balance. A slight shift in this equilibrium would end life on Earth within 8.3 days.Duari was on campus of Agrasain Balika Siksha Sadan as a part of The Times of India's initiative, ‘Leaders on Campus' and delivered a speech on the theme, ‘Vistas in Astronomy'. He went on to explain that tides are not merely a result of a simple gravitational pull, but rather the result of a complex interplay between forces. While many learn that the moon causes tides by attracting water, Duari points out a common misconception, the sun actually exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth 173 times stronger than the moon does. Drawing on his association with NASA, Duari brought the cosmos to life by showcasing a series of rare, HD images that captured the beauty of the universe. These insights provided a stunning backdrop for his explanation of the moon's origins, moving beyond textbook accounts to detail the Collision Ejection Theory. He brought the vastness of space into focus by emphasizing the profound ‘time delay'; inherent in stargazing. While explaining the Sun's structure, Duari bridged tradition with modern science by reciting the ‘Surya Namaskar'. Interactions with the students showed their eagerness to explore complex concepts. "The most pleasant experience was that the students not only connected with the content of the lecture but also appeared to realise the importance of astronomy, education and understanding of our existence on the Earth. They were also enthusiastic which showed interest in the subject" said Duari.