| My Current Research |
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| Asteroid, Comet Astrometry |
| My astrometry work is primarily done in collboration with Mr Roy Tucker of Goodricke-Pigott Observatory (MPC code 683) in Tucson using his MOTESS survey insutrument. All my 12 main-belt asteroids were discovered using this instrument. I also do astrometry of bright comets (brighters than 16 mag) using TOAST or Transient Object Automated Search Telescope (MPC code 730), run by Dr Tim Young at Physics Department at UND, Grand Forks. |
| Asteroid Photometry |
| Photometry is something I have never done till now but would want to try a hand at. Since rotational period of asteroids are very helpful for Near-IR spectroscopy studies, I plan to learn more and attempt some photometry in 2004. Recently I also won a small grant through the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research Program for doing a small asteroid photometry project. |
| (Credit: APL/NASA) |
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| Asteroid 243 Ida as seen by Galileo spacecraft. (Credit: NASA) |
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| Asteroid Spectroscopy |
| As a graduate student at Space Studies Department, my main research interest is Near-IR reflectence spectroscopy of asteroids. I am working under my advisor Dr Paul Hardersen and Dr Mike Gaffey, we use the 3-meter NASA Infra-Red Telescope Facility at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. My first observing run was in Jan. 2004. Mauna Kea Images here |
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| Asteroid 951 Gaspra as seen by Galileo spacecraft. (Credit: NASA) |
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| Meteoritics |
| After taking a course in Asteroids, Meteorites and Comets under Dr Mike Gaffey, I got very interested in meteorites. Apart from collecting meteorites as a hobby, I am also interested in classification of meteorites. I am currently studying the Orissa or Kendrapara meteorite (unofficial name), which fell in India, in collaboration with Dr N. Bhandari from Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India, an unclassified Nevada meteorite and a NWA Chondrite. |
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