Shaping Young Stars

Priya Hasan Shah at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh. (Photograph courtesy Priya Hasan Shah)

Astrophysicist Priya Hasan Shah values the interactions she had with astronomers during her formative years. “It convinced me that exposure at the right time is crucial in shaping the future of children,” she says.

This led Shah to co-found Shristi Astronomy in 2006 with her husband, Syed Najamul Hasan, a mathematician and astronomer, to promote the subject among children. “The aim is not to make everyone an astronomer,” explains Shah, “but rather to broaden their horizons to the possibilities, and hopefully, instill a scientific temperament in them.”

Shah teaches physics at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad and serves as the co-chair of the International Astronomical Union working group called Women in Astronomy. In 2011, she visited the United States as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. During her visit, Shah engaged with fellow astronomers at universities and research centers. Additionally, she participates as a speaker at programs and panels focusing on astronomy and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topics, which are sponsored by the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad.

Excerpts from an interview with Shah.

What sparked your interest in astronomy?

At the age of 12 or 13, I knew I wanted to pursue astronomy. Like many children, stars fascinated me and I was keen to learn more. Around the same time, the Cosmos series by Carl Sagan was aired on Indian television. I loved the way Sagan described the planets, stars and galaxies and showed how they were so closely related to human lives, traditions and the development of science. My father, noticing my interest, bought me the book by the same name. I started visiting the planetarium in Mumbai and attended lectures by leading astrophysicists. Narayan Chandra Rana, who was a professor at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, emerged as an excellent mentor in those early days.

What are your areas of expertise? Please tell us about any exciting new discoveries in your field.

I am an observational astronomer—I observe stars, star clusters and galaxies using optical, near-infrared and radio telescopes. I also use data from space telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray telescope, Gaia and now James Webb. I am very interested in star formation, given it is closely linked to planet formation and the origin of life. In recent times, astronomy has become a data-rich science, and various tools in big data analysis and machine learning have grown in importance. I have been studying various aspects of these domains, and they are the most intriguing and exciting areas of research for me.

Please tell us about your IVLP experience. How did it influence your perspective on astronomy and astrophysics?

The IVLP program provides professionals with a unique opportunity to interact with other professionals in their field in the United States. Such interactions not only broaden horizons but also foster global perspectives. It was both interesting and enlightening to connect with people who share similar interests, to witness minds connect irrespective of backgrounds. The program was well planned and coordinated, and had a good balance of professional, cultural and social activities. I came to understand that regardless of location, people in the same profession confront similar questions, challenges and potential solutions; they simply navigate them within distinct environments.

What is your advice to students aspiring to pursue a career in astronomy and astrophysics, particularly women?

I believe that we only have one life to live, and thus it’s essential to pursue our interests, whatever they may be. In my case, astronomy has been very close to my heart and I can’t imagine myself doing anything but this.

I would strongly encourage my female friends and students to go ahead, reach for the stars (literally!), be willing to work hard and face whatever hurdles may come their way. The journey is as beautiful as the destination.

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