Abstract Details
| Name: Ananda Hota Affiliation: UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, University of Mumbai Conference ID: ASI2025_606 Title : GMRT observation of objects discovered by Indian citizen scientists since 2013 Authors and Co-Authors : Ananda Hota1,2, Pratik Dabhade3, Prasun Machado2, Avinash Kumar2, Sumanta Kumar Sahoo2, Sagar Sethi2, Pradeepta Mohanty2, Arpita Misra2, Shilpa Dubal2, Sai Arun Dharmik Bhoga2, Aditya Sahasranshu2, Prakash Apoorva2, G B Raghavkrishna2, Binayak Pati2, Joydeep Das2, Ck. Avinash2, Megha Rajoria2, C. Konar4,2, Sabyasachi Pal5,2, Sravani Vaddi2, Shubhrangshu Ghosh6,7,2, Abhishek Johri8,2, Arundhati Purohit2 Abstract Type : Oral Abstract Category : Galaxies and Cosmology Abstract : Since its launch in 2013, RAD@home Citizen Science Research (CSR) Collaboratory has trained thousands of participants—from undergraduates to postgraduates and beyond—in foundational astronomy, with a focus on radio continuum astronomy, using publicly accessible data and tools, all without dedicated funding or resources. This pioneering Indian citizen science initiative has enabled participants to develop a strong understanding of extragalactic objects, leading to the discovery of unique objects. Among these are Odd Radio Circle-like radio rings, collimated synchrotron threads, compact jet structures such as burls, radio bubbles from jet-galaxy interactions, episodic feedback signatures during galaxy mergers, rare giant radio spirals from Speca-like disk galaxies, and large relic lobes (100-200 kpc) displaced by ram pressure stripping. These discoveries have pushed the boundaries of our knowledge on AGN jet feedback and merger-driven galaxy evolution, highlighting RAD@home’s role in contributing to frontier scientific questions while creating a model for human-resource development at the onset of the SKA era in India. The most significant discoveries, showing potential for groundbreaking insights, were prioritised for dedicated follow-up observations with the GMRT. Through four accepted proposals (GOOD-RAC), RAD@home’s team acquired 71 hours of multi-frequency GMRT data for 21 sources, uncovering previously unseen features in each source through high-quality deep GMRT radio maps. In this talk, we will present our initial results from deep GMRT observations, providing new insights into these objects. The multi-frequency data have enabled precise spectral analysis, offering a clearer understanding of their physical properties and raising important questions for future study. These findings have important implications for understanding various radio galaxy types and their environmental interactions, paving the way for future research with the SKA. RAD@home serves as a pioneering citizen science initiative, fostering scientific engagement across India and establishing a sustainable model for public involvement in large-scale astronomy. |