Media

Our group's research has received significant national and international media attention, primarily arising from peer-reviewed scientific discoveries, large collaborative projects, and flagship facilities such as AstroSat, SALT, GMRT, and international transient surveys. Media coverage has focused on discoveries related to galaxy formation, supermassive black holes, extragalactic novae, and gravitational-wave counterparts, highlighting the scientific impact of Indian and international astronomical facilities.

Highlights of Media Coverage

Galaxy Formation & Evaloution

Our work on unusual and low-surface-brightness galaxies, interacting systems, and large-scale gaseous structures has been widely reported in leading Indian media outlets. These studies include the discovery and characterisation of:

Ultra-diffuse and “ghost-like” galaxies
Large neutral hydrogen rings around nearby galaxies
Tidally formed systems and extreme galaxy interactions

These results have been featured in outlets such as The Hindu, Deccan Herald, NDTV, The Indian Express, Phys.org, and Nature India, often in the context of new insights into galaxy evolution.

Exteagalactic Novae & UV Astronomy

A substantial body of media coverage has focused on UV detections of extragalactic novae, particularly in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), using AstroSat/UVIT. These studies represent some of the first UV detections of nova eruptions beyond the Milky Way and have provided new constraints on eruption physics. These reports often emphasize the role of Indian space-based observatories in frontline astrophysical research.

This work has been highlighted by AAS Nova, The Hindu, The Times of India, Business Today, India Today, Deccan Herald. These reports often emphasise the role of Indian space-based observatories in frontline astrophysical research.

Multi-Messanger Astronomy & Gravitational Waves

I was part of the international effort that identified and studied the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational-wave event (GW170817). This landmark discovery, marking the birth of multi-messenger astronomy, received extensive global media attention. Media Coverage included: National and international press releases, Broadcast and radio interviews, including South African Fine Music Radio, Features explaining the astrophysical significance of neutron star mergers.

Supermassive Black Holes & Multiple AGN Systems

Research on dual and triple supermassive black hole systems in nearby galaxies has also attracted widespread media interest. These rare systems provide key observational evidence for hierarchical galaxy growth and black hole mergers. Such discoveries were covered by: The Hindu, NDTV, India Today, The Statesman, The Indian Express

Citizen Science & Public Participation

My leadership of the citizen-science initiative “One Million Galaxies (OMG)” has been featured prominently in the media, highlighting public participation in astronomical research. Coverage has focused on: The role of citizens in analysing large astronomical datasets, The integration of human classification with AI-based approaches, Educational and outreach impacts of large-scale citizen science.

These efforts were reported by The Times of India, Pune Mirror, and The Indian Express among others.

I view media engagement as an important component of scientific accountability and public outreach, helping to communicate complex astronomical results to a broader audience while maintaining scientific accuracy. Below I list some of the media coverage ----

Audio/Video --

”Indian Astrophysicists Detect A Triple Black Hole In Nearby Universe”, NDTV 24x7 News
”Interview for South African Fine Music Radio 101.3 on discovery of three merging black holes ”, South African Fine Music Radio 101.3
”Dr. Sudhanshu Barway talks about some of the interesting features of lenticular galaxies”, SALT Science Highlights
”First detection of gravitational waves produced by two colliding neutron stars”, SAAO/SALT LIGO Announcement Press conference
"IIA researchers discover a new Ghost-Galaxy", Doordarshan National
"Milky Way & neighbouring galaxy Andromeda may not collide after all, as per a new study", The Print

News Articles --

"Rapid Recurrent Nova May Be Challenging Perceptions", AAS Nova
”New ultra-diffuse galaxy discovered in formation 430 million light years away”, Deccan Herald
”Astronomers discover new galaxy forming in spaces longest tail”, The Times of India
”In a first, Indian Institute of Astrophysics astronomers spot ultraviolet emissions from novae in Andromeda galaxy”, The Hindu
”IIA scientists detect emissions from novae in Andromeda galaxy”, Deccan Herald
”Explosive stars that outshine the Sun”, Nature India Research Highlights
”Studying a Guest Star’s Annual Appearances”, AAS NOVA
”Indian Astronomers Discover New Galaxy With ’Ghost-Like’ Appearance”, NDTV
”Bengaluru scientists discover ghost galaxy with Astrosat data”, Deccan Herald
”Pune: Citizens can sign up to spot features of 1 billion galaxies”, The Times of India
”Increasing scientific temperament among Punekars”, Pune Mirror
”Pune: PKC to launch One Million Galaxies to help citizens contribute to astronomy”, The Indian Express
”Indian astrophysicists spot rare merger of three jumbo black holes”, The Hindu
”Indian scientists discover supermassive black holes”, The Statesman
”Researchers discover 3 supermassive black holes merging together in nearby universe”, The Indian Express
”GMRT discovers a gigantic ring of hydrogen gas around a distant galaxy”, Eurekalert
”Pune astronomers discover gigantic ring of hydrogen gas around distant galaxy”, Hindustan Times
”Team of Indian astronomers discovers gigantic hydrogen ring around a galaxy far far away”, The Indian Express
”GMRT discovers a gigantic ring of hydrogen gas around a distant galaxy”, Phys.org

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