Astronomy is an all natural science which studies astronomical objects and physical phenomena. It makes use of astronomy, math, and other physics so as to describe their creation and movement. Many objects of curiosity such as stars, planets, moons, comets, and satellites are explored by amateur astronomers through telescopes. Astronomy has a long history going back at least 4000 years in the case of Greek astronomy. Early Sanskrit texts record many discussions of the moon, sun, planets, stars, and outer space.
Astrology is an application of astronomy that describes the relationships between heavenly bodies and human astrological charting. Babylonian astrology, Indian astrology, Babylonian astronomy, medieval astrology, and modern astrology are some of the different types of astrology. The Babylonian astrology includes elements such as nah (the stars), sakhi (the moon), rash (the planets), jelq (the stars surrounding the sun), and meat (the stars). The Babylonian method of astrology is widely used in India as well as Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Ancient Greek astrology also describes similar elements such as sakhi, well, rakhi, nah, and sivan (the sun’s apparent path through the sky).
Astronomy also refers to study of celestial objects with telescopes called eyepieces. Celestial objects can be studied with a telescope called a telescope. Telescopes are mainly used to study faint planetary or solar systems in distant places. Astronomy also involves using visible light from satellites, stars, and other heavenly bodies to study celestial objects. Some of these activities include tracking stars and planets, inspecting stars and planets through a telescope, studying supernovae (exploding stars), and utilizing space technology to monitor stars and other celestial bodies.
It is easy to find professors for all these activities and concentrations. Most faculties of Astronomy and Physics at IIT Delhi have professors who have many years of experience in their areas of interest. Many of them have published widely in peer-reviewed journals and many have also made important research contributions in the field. These individuals also have publications in IIT Delhi campus libraries which provide detailed information on their areas of interest and further details on publications and monograph indexes.
Most of the faculties of ASTRONOMY also have departments that specialize in research interests. There are some of these concentrations such as Astronomy and Physics that have many small independent laboratories scattered around the campus. These laboratories conduct independent research projects and are operated by individual faculty members. The strength and resources of these smaller laboratories are extensive and are used in various aspects of astro-physics and astronomy research.
ASTRONOMY also has some of the largest collections of telescopes in the country. This collection consists of seven telescopes namely—two optical/UV telescopes and four radio telescopes. These seven instruments form an international collaboration known as Subaru Telescopic Survey. The major contributions made by Subaru Telescopes and the other telescopes in the system have contributed significantly to our knowledge of the universe and nature. In addition to the above mentioned concentrations, ASTRONOMY also has a number of museums that house various collections and tools related to astronomy and research. These instruments are also operated by individual faculty members.