City crowns8230;

The name of the book is Akakashashi Jadale Nate which means, literally, a relationship has been established with the sky. And the author is8230;of course, Dr Jayant Narlikar. The 344-page book, in glossy paper, with every page in colour, is a virtual goldmine of information and a unique example of how science can be made so simple that any layman can understand it.

States he, in his preface, 8220;My relationship with the sky was established at Cambridge.8221; While he was studying Mathematics there, he says, 8220;I came across a book called Frontiers of Astronomy by Fred Hoyle, in the Cambridge library, which was written for the common man.8221; So impressed was he by its lucid style and uncomplicated approach that it proved to be a new kind of realisation for him. 8220;After many years,8221; he writes in the preface, 8220;while doing research in astronomy, I began to feel that I must share my happiness and enthusiasm with others. And thus, I began giving public lectures.8221; This was followed by the book Akashashi Jadle Nate, which promises to be a milestone in the subject of popular astronomy.

Right from answers to universal questions like 8220;Why is the sky blue?8221; to the evergreen subject of whether there is life beyond universe, it is full of multi-coloured illustrations sometimes there are pictures, and the explanations are clear and unambiguous.

Chapters are as varied as the stars in the sky. You can get to know how the sky appears from the moon and details about the milky way, get close to the comets, peek into the profiles of scientists who left an indelible mark in this scientific field, have a glimpse of some historical events in astronomy, learn about electromagnetics, know more about pre-telescope and telescope days, and about radio telescopes too. Dr Govind Swarup8217;s Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope GMRT, which is the world8217;s largest metrewave radio telescope, also finds mention here. Have a ringside view of the stars 8211; their origin, their characteristics and much more. Find out about atoms, whitedwarfs, pulsars, blackholes, radiowaves, quasars and the beginning of the universe. It8217;s all there, in black and white and multi-coloured hues.

As you browse through the book, Dr Narlikar8217;s multi-dimensional personality comes through. Having been a teacher of astronomy, his explications are lucid; having been a scientist, the chapters are dealt with precision and a scientific temperament; and with Sanskrit being almost like a mother tongue to him, it is used appropriately. You can almost feel the earnestness with which he has sought to bring to the common man the truths about astronomy.

Kudos to the publisher, Dilip Mazgaonkar, who has produced a world-class book, which every Maharashtrian is sure to be proud of. Priced at Rs 800, the book is a virtual treasure for any personal or institutional collection.