Projects

I investigated the influence of external magnetic fields on photon dynamics in the Schwarzschild-Melvin (Ernst) spacetime supervised by Dr. Volker Perlick. I derived the conditions for circular lightlike geodesics and analyzed their stability, finding that such orbits exist only in the equatorial plane and are absent elsewhere. Moreover, I proved the non-existence of spherical lightlike orbits in this spacetime. I also identified critical magnetic field strengths that govern the number and stability of circular orbits and determined an analytical deflection angle formula for light rays in the strong-field regime. Additionally, I have obtained the analytical expressions for the vertical and horizontal angular radii of the black hole shadow analyzed photon‐ring morphology by tracking the evolution of the gap parameter with increasing magnetic field intensity. This work advances our understanding of photon dynamics in magnetized strong‐gravity regimes, with direct implications for black hole imaging and gravitational‐lensing observations. A research paper based on this work has been accepted in Physical Review D.

arXiv:2508.20575 [gr-qc].

During the MASS Summer School on Big Data in Astronomy (Serbia, 2025), I contributed to the development of a computational framework to detect "intruders" in the Solar System. Working with simulated LSST survey data and applying a Size- Frequency Distribution (SFD) model, I helped my team implement numerical methods to estimate a steady-state population of ISOs within a solar system context. We further analyzed outputs from the SORCHA simulation algorithm, comparing theoretical ISO flux predictions with observable parameters to assess detection capabilities. This project significantly enhanced my skills in large-scale data handling, numerical modeling, and collaborative problem-solving while deepening my understanding of planetary science and near-Earth object dynamics.

Computationally reproducing, “A geometric method to locate Neptune” (Bhatnagar et al, 2021). In an effort to locate Neptune geometrically using the orbital data available for the other planets, I probed into the experiences of MATLAB and Python whereby I completed the reproduction of the paper under the guidance of Dr. Cassandra Fallscheer (Cassandra.Fallscheer@cwu.edu) at CWU and Dr. Sabieh Anwar (sabieh@lums.edu.pk) at LUMS. This model can be further extended to the discovery of other exoplanets.  

We give the details of a method for determining the height or depth of lunar surface features, such as mountains or craters, using measurements of shadow length in a lunar photograph taken through an earth-bound telescope.  We apply the method to several feature examples in a photograph captured with a typical amateur telescope and DSLR camera.

This project from my Modern Astrophysics course demonstrated my expertise in data analysis, statistical modeling and astrop hysical interpretation of stellar populations. I conducted a detailed analysis of the globular cluster NGC 3201 using Gaia DR3 data, focusing on stellar proper motions, distance modulus, and reddening corrections. Filtered a dataset of over 125,000 stars to isolate 30,012 cluster members using Gaussian mixture models. Applied distance and reddening corrections to create a Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram and fitted alpha-enhanced isochrones to estimate the cluster's age within a 7–14 Gyr range.

This project from my Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) class enhanced my expertise in SQL-based data extraction, astrophysical data representation and computational analysis. I developed a comprehensive classification framework for emission-line galaxies using data from SDSS and WISE surveys and applied diagnostic tools like BPT, WHAN, and TBT diagrams to distinguish starburst galaxies, AGN, LINERs, and retired galaxies based on emission-line ratios and equivalent widths. Additionally, I conducted statistical analysis of large datasets, filtering over 30,000 galaxies and investigating cosmic evolution in classifications and integrated multi-wavelength data to identify AGN using mid-infrared WISE color-color plots. Finally, I modeled variability in quasar light curves with Conditional Neural Processes, providing insights into AGN activity.

As a part of my Directed Research Project (DRP) under the guidance of my Professor, Dr. Rizwan Khalid (rizwan_khalid@lums.edu.pk), I implemented the Genetic Algorithm in C++ to determine the optimal value of given n-dimensional data. This was brought about through the application of the use of my knowledge of multi- variable calculus, analytical geometry, and writing computer programs.

Setting up of a Radio Jove Antenna at LUMS for monitoring the radio waves activity of the Sun and Jupiter. Impressed with my project, my professor and the Dean of LUMS School of Science and Engineering, Dr. Sabieh Anwar (sabieh@lums.edu.pk) offered me an undergraduate research position at the school’s physics laboratory (Physlab) and monitored my performance over setting up a first Radio Jove antenna in the college. We designed our own receiver circuit and I worked with various advanced measuring instruments including National Instruments USB 6229, in addition to mastering LabVIEW and other data recording software. The project provided me with an unprecedented experience in radio astronomy and shared with me the tools to work further in the field.