Observing the Wonders of Nature: From Camera Obscura to the 4-m International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT)
Public Lecture & Seminar Series, Dharamshala Govt. Degree College Auditorium & CUHP Seminar Hall, 2026
Organised by: Department of Physics and Astronomical Science (ICARD), Dharamshala Govt. Degree College
In association with Raman Society & Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP)
📌 About the Events
A series of lectures by Prof. Jean Surdej focusing on modern observational astrophysics, covering the evolution of optical instruments, gravitational lensing, and the science of the International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT).
These events include an academic seminar at CUHP and a public outreach lecture at Dharamshala Govt. Degree College.
🎤 Speaker
Prof. Jean Surdej
Senior Professor, University of Liège, Belgium
Prof. Jean Surdej is an internationally renowned astrophysicist and Honorary Full Professor and Research Director at the University of Liège. He has served as an ESA astronomer at NASA and held leadership roles at the European Southern Observatory.
He is currently the Principal Investigator of India’s 4-m International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT), inaugurated in 2023, and has led over 100 observing programs on the Hubble Space Telescope and other major facilities.
🗓️ Event Schedule
📍 1. CUHP Seminar (Academic)
- Date: 5th March 2026
- Venue: Seminar Hall, Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP)
Talks:
🕥 10:30 PM – 11:12 PM
The International Liquid Mirror Telescope Project – Overview and Initial Results🕦 11:30 PM – 12:00 PM
High tea and round table discussion on astronomy and opportunities across Europe🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
The optical gravitational lens experiment and discovery of multiply imaged quasars with Gaia and the ILMT
📍 2. Public Lecture (Outreach)
- Date: 6th March 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Venue: Dharamshala Govt. Degree College Auditorium
- Entry: Free and open to all
Title:
Observing the Wonders of Nature: From Camera Obscura to the 4-m International Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT)
📂 Resources & Files
🖼️ Posters
📑 Seminar Materials
📍 Venues
Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP)
Dharamshala, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
Dharamshala Govt. Degree College
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
🚀 Highlights
- Liquid Mirror Telescope (ILMT) technology
- First scientific results from ILMT
- Gravitational lensing and quasar discoveries
- Opportunities in international astronomy collaborations
📌 Note
This event series combines academic discussions and public outreach, aimed at students, researchers, and astronomy enthusiasts.