Gemini Inspires Graduate Student

Last week, University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) graduate student, Sarthak Dasadia, visited Gemini North. Sarthak, an amateur astronomer and staff person at a local planetarium near his home in India, would often collect scientific data to send to various institutes such as the American Meteor Society. He recounts,

“Internet was a privilege back then, and my parents only allowed an hour a week which was enough to search and contact different astronomy institutes.”

While researching astronomical images, he came across Gemini Observatory. Noting the address, he sent a letter expressing his interest in astronomy and got a reply. Xiaoyu Zhang, Gemini North’s Librarian, sent material including images, posters, and a copy of the Gemini Virtual Observatory tour.

“I can’t express how important it was for me to receive mail from a foreign institute,” he says. “This encouraged me to pursue a degree in physics and astronomy.”

That was in 2006.

Currently, Sarthak is studying merging galaxy clusters at UAH. He also gave a talk at the International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly in Honolulu last week. “The day I heard [that the IAU was in Hawai‘i], I knew I wanted to visit Gemini.”

“I’m thrilled that we encouraged Sarthak to work towards a degree in physics and astronomy,” says Zhang. “I wish him the best as he continues his education and leaves his mark on the universe!”

This image was taken at Gemini North. Photo credit: Sarthak Dasadia

Sarthak at the Gemini North Base Facility Control Room.