Jayant Narlikar, one of India’s most celebrated astrophysicists, passed away recently at the age of 86. A visionary thinker and dedicated educator, Narlikar’s legacy stretches far beyond his scientific research — he challenged established ideas, inspired generations, and helped shape India’s space science landscape.

A Glimpse Into the Future and a Bold Scientific Challenge

Back in 1983, Narlikar’s imagination extended into the future with a science fiction story where aliens attended online classes in 2050. While aliens are yet to appear, the reality of online education became a global norm in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic — a striking prediction of how technology would transform learning.

But perhaps more famously, Narlikar was known for questioning the Big Bang theory, the widely accepted explanation that the universe began from a single explosive moment nearly 13.8 billion years ago.

Instead, Narlikar proposed an alternative: the universe has always existed and expands endlessly in what’s called the quasi-steady state theory. This bold idea suggested that new matter is continuously created, allowing the universe to maintain a steady appearance over time.

Early Life and Groundbreaking Work

Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Narlikar grew up in a family deeply rooted in academics. His father was a mathematician and his mother a Sanskrit scholar, setting the stage for a lifetime devoted to knowledge.

He pursued higher studies at Cambridge University, where he not only excelled in mathematics but also delved into astrophysics and cosmology. His most significant partnership was with renowned physicist Sir Fred Hoyle. Together, they developed their alternative theory to the Big Bang, challenging the status quo with innovative ideas still studied today.

Narlikar explained their theory with a simple analogy: imagine money growing in a bank account through compound interest — the capital expands continuously, much like the universe.

Impact on Science and India’s Research Landscape

Though the Big Bang remains the dominant theory, astronomers like Somak Raychaudhury recognize Narlikar’s contributions: “He advanced ideas on how matter could be created and destroyed continuously, and many tools from his steady-state model are still useful.”

After years in the UK as a fellow at King’s College, Narlikar returned to India in 1972, taking the helm of the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

In 1988, fulfilling a dream of making science accessible, he co-founded the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune. Starting in a small room, IUCAA has grown into a world-class research institute, actively engaging schoolchildren and the public through lectures, camps, and workshops.

Science educator Arvind Gupta fondly recalls Narlikar’s mentorship: “He said PhD scholars don’t fall from the sky; you must catch them young. He gave me a chance and wings to fly.”

Beyond Science: Storyteller and Rationalist

Narlikar was also a prolific author, writing over 300 research papers and several science fiction books translated into many languages. His stories, grounded in scientific principles, tackled topics ahead of their time — like his 2015 story Virus, which eerily imagined a global pandemic, and his 1986 work on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

He inspired many scientists, including Sanjeev Dhurandhar, part of India’s team detecting gravitational waves. Dhurandhar remembers Narlikar’s guidance and encouragement to push scientific boundaries.

A committed rationalist, Narlikar also challenged pseudoscience. In 2008, he co-authored a study debunking astrology using statistical methods — reflecting his belief in questioning everything without scientific proof.

A Lasting Legacy

Even in his final days, Narlikar remained active — responding to letters from children and writing insightful blog posts about science. His passion for discovery and education never waned.

At his funeral, hundreds gathered — from young students to renowned scientists and his own housekeeping staff — a testament to the profound impact he had across society.

Jayant Narlikar’s life reminds us that science is not just about answers, but the courage to ask new questions and challenge old ideas. His legacy will continue to inspire curious minds for generations to come.

Source: BBC – Remembering the Indian scientist who challenged the Big Bang theory

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March 14—better known as Pi Day—is a time when math enthusiasts, from college students to rocket scientists, celebrate the famous mathematical constant, pi (π). The date, written as 3/14, represents the first three digits of the infinite number that has fascinated mathematicians for centuries. But Pi Day isn’t just about numbers—it’s also an opportunity to enjoy delicious pies, engage in fun math challenges, and honor scientific achievements.

What Is Pi?

At its core, pi is a mathematical constant that expresses the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. This number appears in countless equations used in physics, astronomy, engineering, and other scientific fields. Its origins trace back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Babylon, and China, long before modern technology enabled precise calculations.

Mathematically, pi is considered both a constant and an irrational number—meaning its decimal representation goes on forever without repeating. Historically, figures such as Isaac Newton spent countless hours manually calculating its decimal places. Today, computers have determined trillions of digits of pi, yet its sequence remains infinite and unpredictable.

A Brief History of Pi Day

The modern celebration of Pi Day began in 1988 when physicist Larry Shaw initiated festivities at the Exploratorium, a science museum in San Francisco. However, the day gained national recognition much later. In 2009, the U.S. Congress officially designated March 14 as Pi Day, aiming to boost interest in math and science education. Fittingly, this mathematical holiday also coincides with the birthday of legendary physicist Albert Einstein.

Why Is It Called Pi?

The Greek letter π was first used to represent the number in 1706 by Welsh mathematician William Jones. The choice makes sense: pi is the first letter in the Greek words “periphery” and “perimeter,” both of which relate to the concept of a circle’s circumference.

Real-World Applications of Pi

Pi isn’t just an abstract number—it plays a crucial role in numerous practical applications, including:

• Space Exploration: NASA uses pi daily to calculate planetary orbits, spacecraft trajectories, and even parachute deployments for landings on Mars.
• Engineering & Construction: From designing massive refinery equipment to determining the scale of heating and air conditioning systems, pi helps in construction and infrastructure planning.
• Communication Technology: The number is essential for accurately directing satellite antennas and optimizing signal transmissions.
• Scientific Calculations: Using only nine digits of pi, scientists can calculate Earth’s circumference with an accuracy of about a quarter-inch (0.6 cm) over 25,000 miles (40,000 km).

How Is Pi Day Celebrated?

Pi Day celebrations take many forms, from academic contests to pie-eating festivities.

• San Francisco’s Exploratorium continues its tradition of a Pi Day parade, circling the Pi Shrine exactly 3.14 times, followed by plenty of pie.
• College Events Across the U.S. include math competitions, pi recitation challenges, and even opportunities for students to throw pies at professors. At Florida Atlantic University, students compete to memorize the most digits of pi.
• Restaurant Deals: Many pizza and pie shops offer $3.14 specials in honor of the day.
• NASA’s Pi Day Challenge: The space agency engages the public with online games and puzzles based on real-world scientific problems, such as calculating an asteroid’s orbit or mapping a moon rover’s route.

The Einstein Connection

Pi Day holds extra significance because it coincides with the birthday of one of history’s greatest minds—Albert Einstein, born on March 14, 1879. His groundbreaking theories often incorporated pi in complex equations. Adding a twist to the cosmic alignment, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, further linking the date to scientific greatness.

A Reminder from Hawking

Despite pi’s infinite nature, perfection remains an illusion. As Stephen Hawking once said:

“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”

Final Thoughts

Pi Day is more than just a celebration of a mathematical constant—it’s a tribute to human curiosity, scientific progress, and the joy of learning. Whether you’re solving equations, enjoying a pizza, or simply appreciating the wonders of the universe, March 14 is a day to embrace the infinite possibilities of math and science.

Source

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