‘No astronomical evidence to prove world will end on Dec 21’

At the open house,children got an opportunity to put their queries before Narlikar and dean of core academic programme at the Centre,Thanu Padmanabhan.

Narlikar gave the above reply when a student asked if it was true that the world was going to end by the end of this year.

“The belief is based on Mayan calender which mentions December 21 as the last date. The fact that there are no more dates mentioned after December 21 has led to this idea. However,there is no astronomical evidence regarding this and you do not need to fear,” said Narlikar.

He,along with Padmanabhan,answered various questions related to astron

Narlikar also spoke about one of his projects where he sent two balloons in space to collect samples of microorganisms and the effect ultraviolet (UV) rays have on them.

“With the help of Indian Space Research Organisation,we had launched two balloons in outer space. One in 2001 and the other in 2005.”

“The aim was to get the bacteria found in space and study their carbon content and to see the effect of UV rays on them. We are planning to launch another such balloon by next year,” he said.

To mark National Science Day,IUCAA had lined up a

series of programmes for general public such as poster

presentations,astronomy videos and virtual tours,science toys exhibition,telescope information booth,talks about astronomy etc.