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About

Padma Dorjay is an astronomer and instrumentation specialist at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, whose work is pivotal to India’s growing role in time-domain astrophysics. His primary research focuses on robotic telescope automation, control systems, and the rapid follow-up of transient astronomical events. Dorjay’s most significant contribution is his central role in establishing the GROWTH-India Telescope (GIT), a 70 cm robotic facility with a 0.7-degree field of view, which serves as India’s first dedicated robotic eye for time-domain studies. This project, a collaboration between IIA and IIT Bombay with support from the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, has already garnered 31 citations since 2022, underscoring its importance. Additionally, Dorjay led the design and implementation of a low-cost, high-precision telescope control system (TCS) and observatory control software for the 50 cm telescope at the Indian Astronomical Observatory, achieving precise pointing and tracking. His work enables real-time detection and characterization of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and other cosmic transients, positioning India at the forefront of rapid-response astrophysics.