Dr. Sachu Sanjayan

Stellar Astronomy, Planetary Science and Design Science

INTRO

I completed my PhD in Astrophysics at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (CAMK) in Warsaw, Poland. My research focuses on stellar astrophysics, leveraging asteroseismology and modeling variable stars using data from the Kepler and TESS space missions. My work primarily explores the evolution of old open clusters through stellar modeling of various types of variable stars. In addition to my research, I have a passion for designing scientific visualizations and creating web applications in astronomy. As a data scientist, I thrive on working with big data. My previous projects include analyzing multi-dimensional fMRI and terrain data for planetary science research on Mars and the Moon, as well as using InSAR Earth data for geophysical observations. Currently, I am working with data from the Kepler, TESS, and GAIA space missions, employing techniques such as time-series analysis, advanced statistical methods, and machine learning. I am also the founder of Spacentity, a platform where I merge science and art through experimental design elements.
"I believe in the profound connection between art and science, which inspires my work.

PhD Topic

Title

Understanding stellar dynamics and evolution of oldest open clusters from variable star observations using modeling.

Supervisors

Prof. Andrzej Baran - Ardastella Asteroseismology Research Group, Krakow
Prof. Gerald Handler - CAMK , Warsaw

Description

The goal of our project is to understand the different channels of stellar evolution in variable stars and understand how they differ that from field stars in dense cluster environments. We searched for variable stars in the field of two old open clusters NGC 6791 and NGC 6819 observed by Kepler mission and discovered many variable targets. We determined the membership probabilities of each variable targets using Gaia data and derived average cluster parameters from the members. We classified them based on the variability and position in the color magnitude diagram. Then We modeled some of these variable targets such as hot sub dwarf B star pulsators to derive cluster properties independently.

CURRENT

Since 2022
Data Analyst Global Research Evidence Lab
UBS, Krakow, Poland.

Since 2018
Researcher and data scientist
Ardastella Reasearch Group, Krakow, Poland.

ALMA MATER

Integrated Masters Degree in Physics

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
Kolkata
India

EDUCATION

Doctoral Degree in Astrophysics - 2024

Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (CAMK), Warsaw, Poland

PhD Thesis :
Kepler photometry of two open clusters NGC6791 and NGC6819

Integrated Masters Degree in Physics - 2016

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, India

Masters Thesis :
A study of Stellar Dynamics - Theory and Simulations

Higher Secondary Education - 2011

Gov. Model Boys School, Kerala, 95%.

High School Education - 2009

Amritha Vidhya Peetham, Kerala,98%

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Blender3D


Extensive experience in 3D visualizations.

Designing & Illustration

Graphic design skills in Photoshop, Gimp and Illustrator.

Python

Extensively experienced in python
(Numpy, Pandas, Scipy, Flask, Jinja, Astropy)

Matlab

Moderate experience in Matlab and Octave

HTML - CSS - Bootstrap

Moderate knowledge for web applications and development

Data Visualization

Using Matplotlib, Bokeh and plotly

Machinelearning

Moderate knowledge of Python's Scikit-learn library and basics of Tensor flow.

Flask - Jinja

Basic knowledge for static and dynamic web applications

Fortran & C

Basic knowledge

Unity & C#

Moderate experience in creating and scripting worlds in unity.

Operating systems

Microsoft and Linux

Astronomy tools

Lightkurve - Kepler, TESS lightcurve processing in Python
Phoebe - Binary star modeling package in python
MIST - MESA Isochrones and stellar tracks

SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS

  • Binary systems: Understanding the effect of companions on evolution of differentbinary systems.
  • Exoplanets : Implying direct and indirect methods to find harbouring exoplanets.
  • Planetary science : Exploring the exoplanets in the Goldilocks zone.
  • Environment Design : Designing environments using 3d art tools.
  • Game Designing : Developing scientific games for better learning experience.
  • Scientific Visualizations : Creating scientific visualizations for underlying concepts.
  • EXPERIENCE

    Since 2018 : Data analysis and visualizations

    Ardatsella Research Group, Krakow.
    Analysis and processing of Kepler data of open clusters NGC 6791 and NGC 6819
    Prof. Andrzej Baran, Professor, Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny w Krakowie

    Details:

  • Developing modules for searching variable stars.
  • Time series analysis and processing of light curves.
  • Prewhitening and frequency extraction tools development in Python3.
  • Improving midtime estimations in eclipsing systems using modified kwee methods.
  • Developing modules for third body detection in eclipsing systems.
  • Deploying web applications for data processing and visualization.

    2017 - 2018 : Researcher and Data analyst

    National Geophysical Research Institute , Hyderabad.
    Earth Observation using Radar interferometer data from satellites using Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP)
    Dr.V.M.Tiwari, Director, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad

    2016 - 2017 : Researcher

    Institute of Science Education and Research , Kolkata.
    Martian crater planetary science data using correlation and wavelet studies.
    Prof.P.K.Panigrahi, Professor, IISER Kolkata

    2015 : Project Fellow

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research,Kolkata
    Crater detection algorithms (CDA) for detecting, finding number of craters and methods of finding depth of craters on Mars.
    Prof.P.K.Panigrahi, Professor, IISER Kolkata

    2015 : Research Project

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research,Kolkata
    Study of stellar structures using Tolman Oppenheimer Volkoff equation
    Dr.R.K.Nayak, Associate Professor, IISER Kolkata

    2015 : Research Project

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata
    Correlation studies on functional MRI data
    Dr.Pei Liang, Visiting Professor, IISER Kolkata

    2014 - 2016 : Master Project

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata
    Study of Dynamics of stellar systems (Globular cluster Evolution), Modeling and Simulation
    Dr.R.K.Nayak, Associate Professor, IISER Kolkata

    2014 : Project

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata
    Simulations of optimal conditions on Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) using Finesse simulation.
    Dr.R.K.Nayak, Associate Professor, IISER Kolkata

    2014 : Research Project

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata
    Presentation on how Mirror neurons link between Action, Observation and Social skills

    TALKS & CONFERENCES

    2019-Jun : Conference

    9th Meeting on Hot Subdwarfs and Related Objects, Hendaye, France
    On Muscial orchestra of pulsating subdwarf B stars in NGC 6791

    2019-Jun : Conference

    First conference of young researchers, CAMK, Warsaw
    On Muscial orchestra of pulsating subdwarf B stars in NGC 6791

    2020-Jan : Public outreach

    Night under the stars, Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University, Krakow
    Astrophotography and variable star observations using DSLRs and mobile devices

    2020-Jun : Zoom-Conference

    Second conference of young researchers, CAMK, Warsaw
    On evolutionary modeling of subdwarf B stars in oldest open cluster NGC 6791

    2021-Jun : Zoom-Seminar

    Annual PhD seminar, CAMK, Warsaw
    Search for variable stars in oldest open cluster NGC 6791

    AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

    2018 :

    Selected for doctoral program in Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center,Warsaw, Poland.

    2017 :

    Inspire fellowship for Doctoral program,India

    2014 :

    First Prize in 4R-Documentary Event-Pravega at Indian Institute of Science, Banglore

    2011 :

    Inspire Fellowship for 5 year integrated Maters Program,India.

    2009 :

    Award for maximum scores in all subjects,India.

    PUBLICATIONS

    [1] S. Sanjayan, A. S. Baran, J. Ostrowski, P. Németh, I. Pelisoli, R. Østensen, J. W.Kern, M. D. Reed, and S. K. Sahoo. Pulsating subdwarf B stars in the oldest open cluster NGC 6791, MNRAS, 509(1):763–777, January 2022

    [2] S. Sanjayan, A. S. Baran, K. Kinemuchi, P. Németh, J. Ostrowski, and S. K. Sahoo. A variable star population in the open cluster NGC 6791 observed by the Kepler spacecraft, Acta Astronomica, vol 72, no 2, p. 77-102

    [3] S. Sanjayan, A. S. Baran, P. Németh, K. Kinemuchi. Variable Star Population in the Open Cluster NGC 6819 Observed by the Kepler Spacecraft, Acta Astronomica, vol 72, no 4, p. 267-295

    [4] A. S. Baran, S. Sanjayan Sounding Interiors of Four Pulsating Subdwarf B Stars with Stellar Pulsations Acta Astronomica, vol 73, no 1, p. 21-34

    [5] Joyce Ann Guzik, A. S. Baran, S. Sanjayan, P. Nemeth, Anne M. Hedlund, J. Jackiewicz Variable Blue Straggler Stars in Open Cluster NGC 6819 Observed in the Kepler 'Superstamp' Field, The Astronomical Journal, Volume 165, Issue 5, id.188, 15 pp.

    [5] A. S. Baran, S. K. Sahoo, S. Sanjayan, and J. Ostrowski. A search for variable subdwarf B stars in TESS Full Frame Images II. Variable objects in the northern ecliptic hemisphere, MNRAS, 503(3):3828-3847, May 2021

    [6] J. Ostrowski, A. S. Baran, S. Sanjayan, and S. K. Sahoo. Evolutionary modelling of subdwarf B stars using MESA with the predictive mixing and convective pre-mixing schemes, 503(3):4646–4661, May 2021.

    [7] S. K. Sahoo, A. S. Baran, S. Sanjayan, and J. Ostrowski. A search for variablesubdwarf B stars in TESS full frame images - I. Variable objects in the southern ecliptic hemisphere, MNRAS , 499(4):5508–5526, December 2020.

    [8] A. S. Baran, R. H. Østensen, U. Heber, A. Irrgang, S. Sanjayan, J. H. Telting, M. D.Reed, and J. Ostrowski. Space observations of AA Doradus provide consistent mass determinations, New HW-Vir systems observed with TESS , MNRAS, 503(2):2157–2167,May 2021.

    [9] S. K. Sahoo, A. S. Baran, U. Heber, J. Ostrowski, S. Sanjayan, R. Silvotti, A. Irrgang,M. Uzundag, M. D. Reed, K. A. Shoaf, R. Raddi, M. Vuckovic, H. Ghasemi, W. Zong,and K. J. Bell. Mode identification in three pulsating hot subdwarfs observed with TESS satellite, MNRAS, 495(3):2844–2857, January 2020.

    [10] M. D. Reed, A. Slayton, A. S. Baran, J. H. Telting, R. H. Østensen, C. S. Jeffery,M. Uzundag, and S. Sanjayan. Pulsating subdwarf B stars observed with K2 during Campaign 7 and an examination of seismic group properties , MNRAS, 507(3):4178–4195, November 2021.

    REFERENCES

  • Prof. Andrzej Baran
    (PhD supervisor)Professor
    Ardastella Asteroseismology Research Group, Krakow
    andysbaran@gmail.com
  • Dr Rajesh Kumble Nayak
    (MS Thesis supervisor)
    Department of Physics, IISER Kolkata
    rajesh@iiserkol.ac.in
  • DECLARATION

    I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in my application for the needs of the recruitment process (In accordance with the Act of 29 August 1997 on the protection of personal data, consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2016, item 922).

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