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30 Years Under
the Night Sky

Observer · Researcher · Organiser · Educator — from Vadodara to the world

30+
Years observing
1997
Meteor obs. began
3000+
Public lectures
50K+
People reached
7
Intl. affiliations
The Story

A lifelong love of
the cosmos

What began as childhood wonder at a starry sky has grown into over three decades of dedicated amateur astronomy — combining systematic scientific observation with a mission to share the night sky with as many people as possible.

As Founder and Executive of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Vadodara (AAAV), the programme has grown from a small group of enthusiasts into an active, internationally-connected organisation that runs regular public events, school outreach, annual celebrations, and contributes real observational data to global scientific databases.

Research interests span solar observation, meteor showers, variable star monitoring, stellar occultations, planetary transits, and eclipse tracking — all areas where dedicated amateur observers make genuinely useful contributions to science. Data is submitted regularly to the IMO, AAVSO, ALPO, BAA, and CV-Helios.

IMO Observer Profile ↗ View Research Areas
The Journey

From first light to
global collaboration

A chronology of milestones — observations begun, organisations joined, and events organised over three decades.

Early 1990s
First Light
First serious astronomical observations begin. The night sky becomes not just a source of wonder but a subject of dedicated study — logging moon phases, planetary positions, and naked-eye events with growing rigour.
1994
Founding the AAAV
Established the Amateur Astronomers Association of Vadodara — creating a formal platform for astronomy education, public outreach, and organised observation in the Vadodara region. Running strong for 30+ years.
FounderAAAV
1997
Meteor Observation Begins
Joined the International Meteor Organization's visual observation programme. Began systematic meteor watches using the standardised IMO visual method — recording shower activity, limiting magnitude, and sporadic rates. All data submitted to the IMO Visual Meteor Database (VMDB).
IMO · GermanyVMDBVisual Observation
2002
Solar Observation Programme
Began regular solar observation — sunspot counts, white-light imaging, and H-alpha monitoring. Contributing data to ALPO Solar Division (USA), BAA Solar Division (UK), and CV-Helios (Norway). The Sun as a variable star — observing its 11-year activity cycle from Gujarat.
ALPO · USABAA · UKCV-Helios · Norway
2005
Variable Star Monitoring
Joined the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Began systematic light-curve monitoring of variable stars — Mira-type long period variables, eclipsing binaries, and cataclysmic variables. Data submitted to the AAVSO International Database.
AAVSO · USALight Curves
Ongoing
Eclipses, Transits & Occultations
A continuous log of special events — solar and lunar eclipses witnessed and timed, planetary transits (Venus, Mercury), stellar occultations by the Moon and asteroids, and notable conjunctions. Data recorded on standardised report forms and submitted to relevant organisations. Digitisation of paper records is ongoing.
EclipseTransitOccultationConjunction
Present
3000+ Lectures · 50,000+ People
Over three decades of consistent public outreach — school visits, sidewalk astronomy, annual space-week events, and international astronomy day celebrations. The mission: to make the night sky accessible and exciting for everyone, regardless of background or equipment.
OutreachEducationPublic Astronomy
Scientific Observation

Research Areas

Six observational programmes running in parallel — each contributing data to international databases and co-research projects spanning five countries.

☀️
Solar Observation
White-light sunspot monitoring, H-alpha prominence observation, solar rotation tracking. Contributing to the global network of solar observers through ALPO, BAA Solar Division, and CV-Helios Norway.
Active since 2002
☄️
Meteor Observation
Visual meteor counts using standardised IMO methodology. Shower activity profiles, magnitude distributions, and sporadic rates across major annual showers. All data in the IMO VMDB.
Active since 1997
⭐
Variable Stars
Photometric monitoring of long-period Mira variables, eclipsing binaries, and semi-regular variables. Light curve construction submitted to the AAVSO International Database for scientific use.
Active since 2005
🌑
Solar & Lunar Eclipses
Contact timings, Baily's Beads observations, corona photography during totality, umbral/penumbral magnitude estimates for lunar events. Comprehensive paper records spanning decades.
Many events witnessed
🔮
Stellar Occultations
Timing of stars occulted by the Moon and minor planets — contributing data that can reveal asteroid profiles and refine orbital elements. A precision timing discipline requiring dedicated preparation.
Ongoing programme
🪐
Transits & Conjunctions
Mercury and Venus transits, ISS transits, close planetary conjunctions, and notable alignments. Each event documented with observations, timings, and photography where possible.
Ongoing programme
Meteor Database

IMO Visual Meteor Data

Observer #2545
Member of the International Meteor Organization's Visual Meteor Database since 1997. All observations follow the standardised IMO visual method — ensuring scientifically comparable data across the global observer network.
1997
First observation
25+
Years of data
IMO
VMDB contributor
🇮🇳
Vadodara, Gujarat
View IMO Profile ↗
Data is publicly archived in the IMO Visual Meteor Database (VMDB). Full observer profile and session logs available at imo.net
Shower Peak Observed since Intensity
Perseids (PER) Aug 12 1997
Geminids (GEM) Dec 14 1997
Leonids (LEO) Nov 17 1998
Quadrantids (QUA) Jan 3 1999
Eta Aquariids (ETA) May 6 1999
Orionids (ORI) Oct 21 2000
Taurids (NTA/STA) Nov 5/12 2001
Sporadics Year-round 1997

* Update shower list and bar widths with your actual IMO VMDB session counts

Special Events

Eclipses, Transits &
Occultations

Over three decades of witnessing rare astronomical phenomena — many documented on standardised observing forms and submitted to international organisations. The process of digitising paper records is ongoing.

📋 Data Digitisation in Progress
Decades of observation data exist on paper report forms — eclipse contact timings, occultation chords, transit ingress/egress, conjunction coordinates. These will be progressively added here as a searchable event log. If you've participated in any of these events and want to cross-reference data, get in touch.
🌑
Many
Eclipses witnessed
🪐
Multiple
Planetary transits
🔮
Several
Occultations timed
✨
30+
Years of events
🌑
Solar Eclipses
Total, annular, and partial solar eclipses — observed from multiple locations across India. Contact timings, Baily's Beads, and corona imaging during totality.
🌕
Lunar Eclipses
Total and partial lunar eclipses — umbral magnitude estimates, colour descriptions, and timing of umbral/penumbral contacts.
🔴
Venus & Mercury Transit
Rare transits of Venus and Mercury across the solar disc — timed using telescopic projection and solar filter methods.
⭕
Lunar Occultations
Stars disappearing and reappearing at the lunar limb — precise timing contributes to lunar profile and orbital refinement.
🌌
Asteroid Occultations
Rare events where asteroids occult background stars — timing observations from Vadodara contribute to asteroid size and shape determination.
💫
Conjunctions & Alignments
Close planetary conjunctions, planet–Moon pairings, and notable multi-planet alignments — documented with notes and photographs.
Public Outreach

Taking astronomy
to the people

3000+
Total lectures & talks
50K+
People reached
30+
Years of programmes
∞
Stars shown to strangers

The belief that drives every public programme: the night sky belongs to everyone. You don't need an expensive telescope or a physics degree to be moved by a total solar eclipse, amazed by a meteor storm, or to understand why Saturn has rings.

Over 3,000 lectures across schools, colleges, public parks, science centres, and community halls — reaching more than 50,000 people of all ages across Gujarat and beyond.

🌍
World Space Week
Annual — 4–10 October. Events, exhibitions, lectures & school programmes.
🔭
Astronomy Day & Astronomy Week
Public telescope sessions, sidewalk astronomy & star parties.
🌕
International Observe the Moon Night
Annual global event — public telescope views of the Moon.
🚶
Sidewalk Astronomy
Taking telescopes to public spaces — parks, marketplaces, and footpaths.
🏫
School Volunteer Lectures
Regular visits to schools across Vadodara — inspiring the next generation of stargazers.
🎓
Workshops & Conferences
Organising and attending amateur astronomy workshops, seminars & national conferences.
International Network

Astronomy Affiliations

Active memberships and data-sharing collaborations spanning six countries — from Germany to Norway, USA to UK.

🇮🇳
Amateur Astronomers Association of Vadodara
Founder & Executive
Vadodara, India · Est. 1994
🇮🇳
Con-federation of Indian Amateur Astronomers
Member
India
🇩🇪
International Meteor Organization
Member · VMDB Observer #2545
Germany · Since 1997
🇺🇸
American Association of Variable Star Observers
Member · Observer
USA · Since 2005
🇺🇸
Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers
Solar Division Member
USA · Since 2002
🇬🇧
British Amateur Astronomers Association
Solar Division Member
United Kingdom · Since 2002
🇳🇴
CV-Helios
Member · Solar Observer
Norway · Since 2002