IIT Bhubaneswar Explores the Cosmic History of the Universe Through Big Bang Lecture
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Bhubaneswar, October 3, 2026: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar hosted an institute seminar titled “The Big Bang: A Discovery Written in the Sky” on September 29, bringing together students and researchers for an exploration of the origins and evolution of the Universe.
The seminar featured eminent radio astronomer Professor Ravi Subrahmanyan, former Director of Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, as the invited speaker. Drawing on nearly four and a half decades of research in radio astronomy and cosmology, he discussed how advances in astronomical observations have significantly expanded humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. Press Release-IIT Bhubaneswar e…
Education Beyond the Classroom
Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, underlined the importance of education extending beyond conventional examinations and academic grades.
He highlighted the institute’s efforts to provide students with a broader educational experience through expert-led lectures and activities involving sports, cycling and cultural engagement. According to the press release, Prof. Karmalkar also recalled how an earlier lecture on entrepreneurship and nation-building influenced him to undertake a two-year entrepreneurial venture after completing his PhD.
He said the Big Bang seminar was intended to encourage students and researchers to engage with fundamental questions about the Universe while also understanding the technologies that make modern astronomical exploration possible. Press Release-IIT Bhubaneswar e…
From the Milky Way to the Cosmic Web
During the lecture, Professor Subrahmanyan traced the development of scientific understanding from the structure of the Milky Way to the vast cosmic network formed by galaxies. He explained how increasingly sophisticated and precise astronomical observations have provided evidence about the Universe’s evolution over billions of years. Press Release-IIT Bhubaneswar e…
A major focus was the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), faint radiation that offers scientists a crucial glimpse into the Universe’s early, hot and dense phase.
The lecture explained how observations of the CMB, galaxies and intergalactic gas collectively help researchers reconstruct the development of cosmic structures across the history of the Universe. Press Release-IIT Bhubaneswar e…
Technology Driving Astronomical Discovery
Professor Subrahmanyan also highlighted the close relationship between astronomy, engineering and technological innovation. Drawing on his experience developing instruments capable of detecting extremely weak signals from space, he demonstrated how technological advances are essential for pushing the boundaries of astronomical research.
Among the major unanswered questions he identified for contemporary research are the nature of dark energy, the emergence of the first stars and galaxies, and the continuing evolution of cosmic structures. Press Release-IIT Bhubaneswar e…
Interactive Session with Students
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing students and researchers to directly interact with the distinguished scientist and explore questions related to cosmology and astronomical research.
The seminar was coordinated by Dr. Shantanu Patra, Professor-in-Charge, Extra Academic Affairs, IIT Bhubaneswar. Press Release-IIT Bhubaneswar e…
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
