MSc (Physics); NET - LS, CSIR; PhD (Physics)

 I work on Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology. My specific interests are the Galactic Center, primordial cosmic evolution and the Dark Universe. Of late my concentration is on test of gravitational theories near the Galactic Center. I am investigating whether different modifications to General Relativity (geometric and quantum) can be tested through the upcoming astrometric observations of Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs).

On Cosmology side I am working on the recent anomaly in the measurements of the Hubble parameter, the very fundamental parameter in observational cosmology. 

 I teach the following subjects in the University.

MSc First Semester:

Mathematical Physics, Classical Mechanics (core papers)

MSc Third Semester:

Astrophysics (specialisation), Advanced Mathematical Physics (elective) and basic training in observational astronomy at Gauhati University Observatory.

MSc Fourth Semester:

General Relativity & Cosmology (specialisation), Advanced Quantum Mechanics (core paper)

I supervise MSc students for dissertation in Astrophysics and Cosmology and also facilitate students of affiliated colleges and other organisations (other Universities and IITs) for short term (summer) projects in Astrophysics.  

Teaching-learning methods adopted in Astrophysics and Cosmology

(a) Flipped classroom.

(b) Visualisation of concepts discussed in the class through students' activity involving online resources (e.g. SDSS Sky Server, AAVSO and HIPPARCOS) and softwares.

(c) 65% preference is to facilitate students through their questions and to discuss topics which they want to learn in more detail. 35% preference is given to classic lecture technique.

(d) ICT tools are used for clarity of concept visualisation in relatively difficult topics.

(e) Students are also facilitated to deliver class room talks on topics recently discussed in the class and also on problems of their choice.

 Following are my research publications which can also be found in SAO/NASA ADS .

1.“Gravitational theories near the Galactic Center”, Sanjeev Kalita, Astrophysical Journal 855 (1), 70 (2018)

2. “Revealing new picture of dark matter through test of gravity near the Galactic Centre”, Sanjeev Kalita, Res. Notes AAS 1, 26 (2017)

3. “Effect of the Kerr metric on Photospheric Radius Expansion in X Ray burst”, S. Kalita and A. Barman, Astrophysics, 60 (4), 582-591, 2017.

4. “An unnoticed significance of the Chandrasekhar mass limit”, S. Kalita, Astrophysics, 60(3), 422-428, 2017

5.  “Abundances of La138 and Ta180 through  -nucleosynthesis in 20M_ʘ type II supernova progenitor, guided by stellar models for seeds”. N Lahkar, S Kalita, H L Duorah & K Duorah, J. Astrophys. Astr. 38:8 (DOI 10.1007/s12036-017-9428-y), 2017.

6.  “Curvature corrections to vacuum fluctuation and accelerating solution with cosmological duality”, S Kalita, G & C, 22 (1), 71 (2016).

7.  “A comparative study on SN II progenitors for synthesis of  Li7 and B11 with the help of neutrinos”, N. Lahkar, S. Kalita, H. L. Duorah and K. Duorah, J. Astrophys. Astr. 36, 375 (2015).

8.  “ Big Bang Nucleosynthesis with constant vacuum energy motivated by Cyclic Cosmology”, S.Kalita, H.L.Duorah and K.Duorah, Int.J.Mod.Phys. A. 26 (2), 331-339 (2011).

9.  “ Late time cosmic acceleration of a flat matter dominated universe with a constant vacuum energy”  , S.Kalita, H.L.Duorah and K.Duorah, Indian J. Phys. 84 (6), 629-633 (2010).

 Organisations and activities

(1) I have been working as a contributor to the Test of General Relativity observing programme of Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) as a member of International Science Development Team (ISDT) of Fundamental Physics & Cosmology. Inputs have been given for the Infrared Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)  as Science Flowdown Matrix (2016) and for the Wide Field Optical Spectrograph (WFOS) (2018). One can visit the website of TMT for more details of these programmes and activities of the ISDTs.

(2) I am visiting associate of Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune and use IUCAA resources and facilities for developing my expertisation in teaching and research in Astrophysics by regular visits. 

(3) I am also a life member of Indian Association of General Relativity and Gravitation (IAGRG). 

 Science popularisation through popular writing, popular lectures and organising public events at Gauhati University Observatory. 

Visit the website below for a recent activity.

http://astron-soc.in/outreach/activities/total-lunar-eclipse-2018/

 My world line started with the spacetime point: 34 km west of Gauhati University, 1983. I am indebted to my father who ignited the fire inside me for knowing the universe when he first gave me a small volume science magazine in 1998 (I was in class IX then) with articles on astronomy and space science. It is his unspoken vision which I recall whenever I open a book now.

  I did my BSc (Physics H) from B Borooah College, Guwahati in 2004 and completed my MSc in Physics from Gauhati University in 2006. I joined PhD in Gauhati University in 2009 as a JRF and worked under the supervision of Kalpana Duorah and Hiralal Duorah in a problem of relativistic astrophysics. Then I joined Dibrugarh University as a Lecturer in Physics in 2010 and taught there for one year. In 2011, I joined Department of Physics, Gauhati University as an Assistant Professor in Astrophysics section. I obtained my PhD in 2016. In academics "gravity" is in my heart and "astrophysics" is my path.

My beloved wife, Nandita whom I married in 2012, is a faculty member of Physics in an Engineering College. She obtained her PhD in Physics from Gauhati University by working in a problem of nuclear astrophysics. Her untiring inspiration always helps me in the journey.  

In free time I derive pleasure through books, scientific articles and movies (preferably action thrillers). I am also fond of cooking vegetables and long driving with music. Usually I like to be in thoughtful isolation. But I do not miss lively events in the families and with colleagues. 

Students are the potential sources of inspiration who make me learner every day. I believe in the theme "Teaching is itself a challenging research." 

One can reach me through emails and phone given below (kindly note that I may have constraints given by time and my routine).

email: sanjeevkalita1@ymail.com

Phone: 9864087304