Description:

Abstract

Python is a powerful language for scientific computing, and it is especially well-suited for astronomy. In this talk, we will explore how Python can be used to query data from space observatories, satellites, and telescopes. We will start by discussing why Python is a good choice for this task, and then we will look at some of the most popular libraries for querying astronomical data. We will also discuss some case studies that demonstrate how Python can be used to analyze data from space.

The information streaming in from these instruments contains invaluable insights into celestial phenomena, including galaxies, stars, exoplanets, and cosmic events. Astronomy has been revolutionized by the deluge of data generated by these celestial instruments. This talk aims to equip participants with the skills needed to harness this data for scientific computing.

Talk Outline

Introduction to Python for astronomy

• Why Python is a good choice for astronomy

• popular Python libraries for astronomy

  Querying astronomical data with Python

• How to access astronomical data from public archives

• How to use Python libraries to read and manipulate astronomical data

  Scientific computing with Python

• How to use Python to perform mathematical operations on astronomical data

• How to use Python to visualize astronomical data

  Case studies

• How to use Python to analyze solar data

• How to use Python to search for exoplanets

  Conclusion

• Where to learn more about Python for astronomy

• Contributing to pyAstro ecosystem

Prerequisites:

This talk is intended for Python programmers who are interested in learning more about how Python can be used for astronomy. No prior experience with astronomy is required.

• basic python proficiency
• elementary knowledge about astronomy
• curiosity :)

Content URLs:

Content

• draft slides for talk
• blog for sunpy contributions

Code

• collab notebooks with code
• SunPy Github repository
• ipynb notebook for fetching galaxy images

Speaker Info:

Abhijeet Manhas is Software Engineer at Amazon. Graduated from IIT Mandi with bachelors in Computer Science, he is Interested in AI, Cross-platform development, and Scientific computing with passion of building solutions for real-life problems. As Google Summer of Code student in OpenAstronomy organization; he contributed to solar physics python library SunPy to enhance it capabilities to query data from solar observatories. He was project lead for an initiative by International Astronomical Union OAD to uplift Astronomy in Himalayas.

Speaker Links:

Abhijeet Manhas

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhimanhas/
• Github: https://github.com/abhijeetmanhas
• Medium blogs: https://abhimanhas.medium.com/
• Open source contributions: https://github.com/abhijeetmanhas/abhijeetmanhas/blob/master/GSoC2020-Fido-WorkProduct.md
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/astromanhas
• Website: https://abhijeetmanhas.github.io
• (Volunteering) International Astronomical Union project page: https://www.astro4dev.org/upliftment-of-space-technology-and-astronomy-cell-in-himalayas-india/