Our group (NUMOS - Numerical Observatory for Space) covers various topics in space sciences with a directed towards space-based applications. We address several fundamental problems in solar physics like the origin of particle acceleration during solar flares, magnetic reconnection, and propagation of the particles etc.. We use observation and simulation tools for understanding these issues. Observationally, we use a variety of section of the electromagnetic spectrum like X-rays, radio, and ultra-voilet (UV) radiation. We make use satellite-based data for wavebands X-rays, UV, etc. For radio observations, we make use of multiple radio spectrometers and interferometers, including the upcoming Square Kilometer Array (SKA). Our group does a variety of simulations ranging from understanding plasma systems through magnetohydrodynamics, particle-in-cell simulations, ray tracing algorithms, and data sciences applications in heliophysics.
Research Group Members
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Dr. Rohit Sharma
Assistant Professor & Group Head
Solar Radio Physics • Radiative Processes in Space Plasmas • Heliophysics Simulations
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Bhaska Moni Kalita
PhD Student
Thesis Topic: Spectroscopic Imaging of Solar Flares using Radio Interferometry
2025–2029
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Mitin
PhD Student
Thesis Topic: Particle acceleration in solar flares
2025–2029
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Shrijaya Maity
STC Research Analyst
Project Topic: Spacecraft Charging Simulations
2026–2028
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Shubham Khose
M.Tech Student
Project Topic: Plasma Instability using Particle-in-Cell Simulations
2024–2026
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Ganesh Jaiswal
M.Tech Project Student
Project Topic: Radiative Transfer using Ray Tracing Algorithms
2024–2026
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M Jashwanth Rao
Former M.Sc. (Physics) (2023–2025)
Thesis Topic: X-ray Analysis of a Solar Flare
Graduated: 2025
My Research Interests
PhD, M.Tech projects & smaller projects are available in the following areas.
Write to me at rohitcbscient@gmail.com | rsharma@iitk.ac.in
Spacecraft Charging in Solar Wind
Spacecraft Charging is the electrical charge buildup on the spacecraft due to the interaction with the space plasma. The electrostatic charge can build up on the surface of the body, as well as inside the volume, known as surface charging and bulk charging effects. Varying plasma environments driven by solar activity lead to varying degrees of charging. This project aims to build simulation tools for surface and bulk currents.
Collaborators: Prof. Soumyabrata Chakrabarty, SPASE
Ray tracing in Solar Corona
Radio waves undergo scattering in the inhomogeneous solar corona. The radio waves propagation is altered from rectilinear path depending on the density gradients, refractive index variation. We study propagation of the individual ray packets in the presence of realtistic solar corona plasma configuration. We are using multiple codes to simulate the propagation. We modify pyC2ray, a python-based ray propagation simulator to include coronal scattering effects.
Collaborators: Michele Bianco (ETH Zurich)
Generative AI for Radiative Transfer
The problem of ray propagation in the solar corona is studied using learning models. The model will learn the propagation process. We use high-resolution solar radio maps and generative ML models to learn low-frequency radio wave propagation in the corona.
Collaborators: Brandon Panos (FHNW, Switzerland)
Electron Beam Propagation
Electron beams are proposed to be generated in the solar corona. When travelling in the corona, they loose their kinetic energy into the ambient plasma. Kinetic-scale PIC simulations of electron beam propagation and wave-particle interactions in the corona.
Collaborators: Bhoosan Paradkar (CEBS, Mumbai)
Making Solar Radio Instrument
We are building a versatile radio array to tackle multiple challenges in the field of sciences and enginering. In solar sciences,this instrumentation project will build solar monitoring stations (100 MHz – 10 GHz) with high time-frequency resolution, targeting solar spikes.
Collaborators: Mugundhan V., IIT Kanpur
STIX-MWA Solar Observations
Creating joint event lists from MWA and STIX for statistical studies of particle acceleration in solar flares.
Collaborators: Predrag, Andre Csillaghy (FHNW)
Theory of coronal turbulence and refraction
Developing theoretical framework to incorporate large-scale refraction into existing radio scattering codes.
Collaborators: Supratik, IIT Kanpur
MHD waves in Radio and EUV observations
Studying MHD wave signatures using high-resolution EUV and radio imaging spectroscopy during flares.
Collaborators: Abhishek Shrivastava, IIT BHU
Building Mock-data for Square Kilometer Array
End-to-end radio observation simulator (KARABO) for SKA science cases including solar flares, CMEs and quiet Sun.
Simulations of Solar Radio Observation
Forward modelling of solar radio maps (flares/CMEs/quiet Sun) using telescope models from various instruments.
3-D Stereoscopic Particle Acceleration in Solar Flares
Combining VLA, RHESSI, Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter and STIX observations to constrain particle acceleration mechanisms.
Low Frequency MWA's Solar Physics Studies
Investigating coronal diagnostics and faint energetic events using Murchison Widefield Array data.
Simulation-based Project
Magnetic reconnection in turbulence & chromospheric evaporation simulations with forward modelling.