The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy & Astrophysics (IUCAA) Pune, through its Astronomy Centre for Educators (ACE), has announced a prestigious two-and-a-half-week foundation course: “Foundations of Gravitational Waves: Theory, Sources, and Detection.”
Running from May 19 to June 4, 2026, as part of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme, this course is designed to provide a comprehensive theoretical and practical bridge to the science behind LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA detections.
A Unified Approach to GW Physics
The curriculum is structured to take participants through the entire “arc” of gravitational-wave (GW) physics, from linearized gravity to real-world data interpretation. The programme features a heavy workload of 36 hours of lectures and 36 hours of interactive tutorials and coding sessions.
Core focus areas include:
- Theoretical Foundations: Linearized gravity, TT gauge, and post-Newtonian dynamics.
- Generation Mechanisms: GWs from compact binaries, black-hole perturbations, and cosmological sources.
- Data Analysis: Bayesian parameter estimation and search fundamentals.
- Instrumentation: Introduction to interferometers, calibration, and feedback control (using tools like Finesse).
Eligibility and Support
This programme is open to college and university faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, and research scholars. Given the technical nature of the course, prerequisites include graduate-level General Relativity and proficiency in Python.
Key Benefits for Participants:
- Financial Support: No application or course fees. Travel reimbursement (as per norms) and free hospitality are provided.
- Certification: Participants receive Refresher course-equivalent certificates based on attendance and rigorous assessments.
- Collaboration: Dedicated Saturday sessions are reserved for exploring research collaborations and special lectures.
How to Apply
The deadline for applications is March 9, 2026. Prospective candidates can apply via the official link: .
For further inquiries, the Astronomy Centre for Educators can be reached at ace_info@iucaa.in.
Application Link: https://www.bit.ly/gw2026ace