The Zenith Astronomy Club, University of Hyderabad (UoH), successfully organized a three-day workshop titled “The Astronomer’s Toolkit: Mastering Data and Observations” during April 22–24, 2025, at the Marie Curie Seminar Hall, School of Physics, UoH. The event drew 55 enthusiastic participants from diverse academic backgrounds, reflecting the broad appeal of astronomy.
The workshop commenced with Dr. Priya Hasan (Maulana Azad National Urdu University, MANUU) introducing participants to astronomical data and virtual observatory techniques. Her engaging session made complex concepts accessible to all attendees. Following this, Dr. Mridusmita Buragohain (School of Physics, UoH) presented an insightful talk on the application of Density Functional Theory in Molecular Astronomy, offering a glimpse into the field of astrochemistry.
Participants then engaged in their first hands-on session led by Prof. S.N. Hasan (MANUU), focusing on handling astronomical image data using FITS files.
The workshop also covered sessions on astronomical observations, the Gaia mission, stellar evolution, and HR diagrams. A hands-on session on star cluster analysis using Gaia data provided participants with valuable practical experience.
The speakers also introduced participants to Astropy, followed by a detailed exploration of galaxy morphology, classification, and evolution. Participants applied their learning in a hands-on galaxy morphology session, using Python to analyze real galactic data, including concentration and asymmetry indices and galaxy decomposition.
The hands-on sessions, particularly with tools like TOPCAT, DS9, and Python, were highly appreciated for bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Throughout the workshop, the seminar hall buzzed with energy and curiosity. Participants, regardless of background, engaged actively with the speakers, benefiting immensely from the friendly and encouraging atmosphere fostered by Dr. Priya Hasan and Prof. S.N. Hasan.
The Zenith Astronomy Club extends heartfelt thanks to the speakers, participants, and the School of Physics for their support in making the event a resounding success. The workshop has significantly strengthened the growing community of astronomy enthusiasts at UoH and beyond.
