Let Munim Hossain’s breakthrough help advance Bangladesh’s physics

In Bangladesh, physics is primarily recognized as an academic subject in educational institutions. Beyond that, there is little awareness of advanced research or practical applications in the field of physics. For instance, the work involving nuclear energy in Bangladesh remains largely unknown to us. Although we have major science and technology projects like the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, it is widely known that much of the work there is carried out by Russian scientists. On the other hand, most students who pursue physics in Bangladesh end up unemployed or, at best, choose to become teachers.

There are even instances of physics graduates working in banks, which further highlights the disconnection between the study of physics and its real-world applications in Bangladesh. In this context, physicist Munim Hossain Rana, currently based in the United States, has become a beacon of hope for students of physics in the country. According to a report published in the newspaper on Thursday (November 14), he recently captured images of the Sun's chromosphere and photosphere—an almost impossible task that has garnered global praise. His groundbreaking photographs have opened new horizons in the field of astrophysics.

In an interview with the media, Munim Hossain discussed the limited understanding that scientists have about the Sun. He explained that nuclear fusion occurs at the core of the Sun, which is the primary source of its energy. The temperature in this region reaches nearly 15 million degrees Celsius. Above the core lies the radioactive zone, where energy is transferred in the form of photons. This energy slowly moves from the core to this layer. Beyond this zone, there are other layers, including the convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer, known as the corona. The surface of the Sun has a temperature of about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,538 degrees Celsius), while the core reaches 15 million degrees Celsius. Such extreme temperatures make capturing images of the Sun an incredibly difficult task.

This seemingly impossible feat was accomplished by amateur astrophotographer Munim Hossain, thanks to his relentless curiosity. He had been pursuing the challenge of photographing the Sun for a long time, camera in hand. Finally, on November 6, he succeeded in capturing some significant images. To do so, he used a NexStar 8SE computerized telescope. To photograph the deep layers of the Sun's chromosphere and photosphere, he employed a special solar telescope with a 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length.

We want the students of physics in our country to become more curious about the universe. They should be supported by the state as well. Without the support of the state, such costly dreams cannot be realized. However, most science students in our country come from lower-middle-class or middle-class families. Their lifelong goal is simply to finish their education and secure some form of employment. They don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to research.

The state, too, lacks sufficient encouragement in this regard. In the past, every major school and college had a laboratory. Today, even that is no longer the case. Science education in Bangladesh has been greatly neglected. We want this mindset to change. If we don’t cultivate a scientific mindset in the country, we risk fostering sectarian ideologies instead. We want our country to engage in large-scale scientific research through the promotion of science. When a nation isn’t scientifically inclined, it becomes nearly impossible for any scientist or researcher to emerge from there.