Mind needs to get excited

"We did not want to settle for the run-of-the-mill. The Space Museum is on a par with any in the west," said Dr B G Sidharth, who in spite of a niggling pain in the knee decided to come to the museum on Monday. The man who has been with the centre since 1985 and known for his research in field particle physics and cosmology says the footfalls to the museum would see a steep rise.

The Space Museum at the Birla Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary on Friday, which happened at a right time with the Indian space programme looking up, especially with the launch of Chandrayaan-2.

"Minds need to get excited and young minds. I have been enthused by the achievements. The replicas of satellites such as Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE), Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyan, GSLV MK III and others are accompanied by literature and anecdotes are sure to tickle a scientific bone," says Dr Sidharth. "With the successes of Indian Space there is greater spin and fervour," he adds.

The exhibits have been provided by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Soon a 50-foot replica of Chandrayaan-2 is to arrive at the museum. There is a lot of research going on at the centre and a set of researchers come down every day.

Dr Sidharth who is known in the field of particle physics and cosmology says, "High energy physics and cosmology is done. Scientists give mathematical equations and solutions; it is upto technologists and engineers to see how they can use it," said the 2013 IFM Einstein-Galilei Award winner along with Nobel Laureate Prof DD Osheroff.

"We have worked out a solution for flooding with science and math. If we can steeply bring down the temperature in a region by injecting liquid nitrogen in a limited area, the surrounding region will turn into ice."