Large number of students gathered to hear Professor Arnold Wolfendale
A school student interacts with professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale. - DC
Ooty: Prof. Arnold Wolfendale, a distinguished UK scientist in cosmic ray physics and astronomy who is also Emeritus Professor of Physics at Durham University in UK enthralled the audience at a public lecture at Anna Stadium here organized by the Cosmic Ray Laboratory (CRL). He said that art and science are intertwined. Art influences science and science influences art. A large number of students gathered to hear him.
Dwelling in length to explain to the budding minds the importance and co-existence of art and science, Sir Wolfendale pointed to the origin of the earth, nature and scientific developments over time, and said that the universe, the solar system, the planets, the earth and nature in and around earth are in fact nature's own form of art from where modern man drew ideas and inspirations for discoveries and inventions. Sir Wolfendale said that understanding the planet earth where nature's law like gravitational forces, rotation of the earth, seasons, measurement of distances between various planets and cosmic objects, invisible radiation and other related things helped man to venture into space.
He could, from space, now bring benefits to earth and use that knowledge to further explore space."An example of the influence of art on science is the role of artistic models in physics and chemistry. In turn, science has influenced art and continues to do so in such areas as the provision of new pigments and the introduction of exciting ideas from cosmology," he said. He explained how men in ancient times invented clocks by mere observation of the cosmic world and upgraded their skills in measuring the distances of cosmic objects.
Be it the understanding of the designing of the DNA molecule which paved the way for the revolution in bio-technology, agriculture and medical research, invention of the optical system that is helpful in science and in improving photography and designing atoms and molecules and all other technological inventions, all were connected with art which is the other side of the science, he noted.
Insisting that fundamental research is essential to provide baseline data for advanced research and applied sciences, he stressed that understanding art would add fuel to propel towards scientific inventions.Dr S.K.Gupta, Head of the CRL in Ooty said that these kind of sessions would help encourage students understand the fascination of art and science, pursue scientific research with more interest and look for innovation and inventions.
Indian scientists serve the world, says Wolfendale
Prof Sir Arnold Wolfendale said that Indian scientists are very collaborative and in this, they are not only doing service to their nation but to the whole world. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on the sidelines of his public lecture programme here, he said that India has made tremendous progress in science and technology after independence and their recent march to Mars was a classic example to prove its mettle.
When asked whether through the big-bang theory, scientists want to disprove the concept of spirituality, he said that this is not so and science and scientists have never interfered with religion and faith. Research on the big-bang theory is something related to atoms and molecules and their role and behaviour during the formation of the universe and the cosmic world.
Answering a query, he said that as of now it is not feasible to create a man-made planet or artificial planet. Future mankind could attempt this, he added. Saying that producing atomic energy through the nuclear fusion process is laborious and yet to yield fruitful results, Sir Wolfendale said that until energy generation through nuclear fusion become commercially viable, the present atomic power units function on the "nuclear-fission" concept would continue. He said that present atomic energy production method is certainly safe but one has to select the right location for its establishment.
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