PHOTOGRAPHS AND PAINTINGS

The IIA Archives maintain an extensive collection of photographs documenting the institutional and scientific history of Indian astronomy from the early 1900s onward. The collection provides a visual record of more than a century of developments, from the establishment of observatories to their contemporary contributions to astrophysics. It comprises over 50 albums of physical photographs, a digital repository more than 300 GB, and two volumes of negatives corresponding to the physical holdings.

Featured Collections

...
Photo of unveiling of Vainu Bappu Telescope (VBT) by Rajiv Gandhi

The album features photographs documenting the unveiling ceremony of the Vainu Bappu Telescope (VBT), also referred to as the 90-inch telescope, held at the Kavalur Observatory on 6th January 1986. The plaque of the VBT was unveiled by the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. In addition to this historic moment, the album also includes images of various telescopes housed at the Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur.

...
Photo of instruments and observations at Madras observatory

The album contains a collection of archival documents related to the Madras Observatory, offering valuable insights into its historical development. Included are an old photograph of the observatory, a photocopy of the first recorded observation dated 1786, two images depicting Kater’s pendulum suspended in front of the Haswell clock, a sketch of the observatory building from Taylor’s 1848 catalogue, and a painting of the Madras coast by Daniel. Collectively, these items present a rich historical perspective on the evolution of the observatory.

...
Photos of H-alpha telescope at Kodaikanal Observatory

The album features a comprehensive photographic documentation of the installation of the H-alpha telescope at the Kodaikanal Observatory in 2014, carried out by a team of scientists and engineers from China. The collection includes a series of images capturing various stages of the installation process, from the initial setup to the final integration of the telescope. These photographs were taken during the tenure of Dr. P. Sreekumar as Director, commemorating a significant milestone in the observatory's continued advancement in solar astronomy.

PAINTINGS

The IIA archive houses an extensive collection of paintings and sketches depicting various observatories and cosmic events. Notably, some of these artworks were created by the scientists themselves, who skillfully captured the discoveries they made during their research. These pieces not only serve as valuable historical records but also add an artistic dimension to the scientific heritage preserved within the archive.
...
Painting of the Kodaikanal Observatory by an unknown artist, 1908

A painting of the Kodaikanal Observatory, created in 1908 by an unidentified artist, is part of the collection. Remarkably, this artwork remains in good condition to this day, providing a valuable and well-preserved visual representation of the observatory as it appeared in the early 20th century. It serves as an important historical record of this significant scientific institution in its early development.

...
Uranus as painted by Dr. M.K.V. Bappu, 1979

Among the notable visual records preserved in the IIA Archives is a 1979 painting of the rings of Uranus by Dr. M. K. V. Bappu. The work commemorates a landmark discovery made with the 1-metre telescope at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur. Beyond marking this scientific achievement, the painting reflects the intersection of research and artistic expression, providing future generations with a visual representation of a pivotal moment in Solar System studies.

...
Painting of Saturn by W S Jacob

William Stephen Jacob’s one of the important contributions to planetary astronomy is his sketch of Saturn, drawn on 15 November 1852 with the Madras Equatorial telescope. The illustration, later etched by W. Forrest, faithfully records the planet’s appearance on that date and offers valuable details of its features as observed in the mid-19th century. Created during the period of Jacob’s significant studies of the Saturnian system, the sketch stands as both a scientific record and a visual testimony to early astronomical research at the Madras Observatory.