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About

Pravin Khodade is an astronomer and instrumentation specialist whose work bridges the study of magnetic fields in star-forming regions and the development of cutting-edge adaptive optics (AO) systems. His research focuses on two key areas: the magnetic field structure of quiescent molecular clouds and the design of robotic AO systems for small- to medium-class telescopes. Khodade’s most cited work, the 2015 “Optical polarization map of the Polaris Flare with RoboPol” (47 citations), provided the first detailed plane-of-the-sky magnetic field map of this quiescent cloud, offering critical insights into the pre-stellar stages of star formation. This contribution has been influential in understanding how magnetic fields shape the early evolution of molecular clouds. On the instrumentation side, Khodade played a key role in the design and development of a visible and near-infrared adaptive optics system for the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) 2-meter telescope, a second-generation Robo-AO system. This work demonstrates his commitment to making high-resolution, cost-effective AO technology accessible to smaller observatories, enabling sharper observations of celestial objects. Khodade’s dual expertise in astrophysical observation and instrument innovation makes him a valuable contributor to both star formation studies and astronomical technology.