Space science is not an inaccessible subject with little relevance to day-to-day living, as some think it is, but a discipline which can lead to techniques that tap sunshine to meet our growing energy needs, renowned astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar said today.
"Space technology could be used to bring the Sun's energy to earth to satisfy human hunger for more and more energy.
"This energy will be capable of lighting up complete cities and towns," Narlikar said during a National Space Conference here aimed at popularising space science amongst students.
Introducing his audience to the 'Amazing World of Astronomy', the Padma Vibhushan awardee dispelled the notion that astronomy, being a study of remote objects like stars and galaxies, was irrelevant to the needs of the common man.
Narlikar said that astronomical research has shown that the Comet Swift-Tuttle could strike earth on August 14, 2126 but space science can prevent any possible collision by causing a nuclear explosion near it.
Known for his work on Cosmology, Narlikar also spoke on the topic of 'A search for Microlife in the earth's Atmosphere'.
Delhi University's H P Singh and Sandeep Sahijpal of Punjab University were some of the other speakers at the two-day conference which also saw presentations by some space scientists.
Nearly 1,500 school students from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and the Union territory of Chandigarh attended the event.
