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Indian origin astrophysicist unravels the mystery of universe
Vik Dhillon plays a pivotal role in the University's Departments of Physics and Astronomy and leads the ULTRACAM project
Vik Dhillon / University of Sheffield
Professor Vik Dhillon, an astrophysicist of Indian origin from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, is a member of a team that has made significant strides in unravelling the mystery of how the heaviest chemical elements are formed in the universe. This breakthrough has been achieved through the use of an advanced camera.
Dhillon, who plays a pivotal role in the University's Department of Physics and Astronomy and leads the ULTRACAM project, highlights the camera's groundbreaking capability. This camera stands as the first instrument capable of accurately pinpointing the gamma-ray burst, which signifies the commencement of the Kilonova explosion. Kilonova, arising from the fusion of two compact neutron stars, bears great importance as they are believed to be the origin of the heaviest elements on the periodic table, including gold, platinum, and uranium, which are present on Earth.
“Our camera ULTRACAM was the first instrument to pinpoint the location of the gamma-ray burst, the second brightest one ever observed, that indicated the start of the kilonova explosion. Our discovery then allowed us to trigger other telescopes around the world for follow-up observations, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST),” Dhillon said.
Before joining the University of Sheffield, Dhillon's career included roles at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with positions at Herstmonceux/Sussex, La Palma, and later in Cambridge. His contributions to the field were recognized when he received the Royal Astronomical Society Jackson-Gwilt Medal in 2013. Moreover, he held the prestigious title of ERC Advanced Grant holder from 2014 to 2019.
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