CASSA

Durbin Talk 6
2026-02-21 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | CASSA, IUB Main Building Rooftop, Plot 16, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Block B, Bashundhara RA (Main Building Rooftop), Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
Black Holes Across the Universe: One Physics, Many Scales
In alignment with the global theme Women and Girls in Astronomy led by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), we are pleased to present Durbin Talk 6, featuring cutting-edge research and reflections on inclusion in science.
Hosted at CASSA, Independent University, Bangladesh, this session continues the Durbin mission of connecting Bangladeshi students and young researchers with leading scientists from around the world.
The Durbin Talk series is part of the CASSA Durbin program, designed to connect students, early-career researchers, and science enthusiasts with leading scientists working at the frontiers of knowledge. Each talk brings global research perspectives to a Bangladeshi audience, creating space for scientific dialogue, mentorship, and inspiration.
Durbin Talk 6 continues this vision by exploring one of the most extreme yet fundamentally unifying phenomena in astrophysics: black holes.
“Black holes may seem mysterious and extreme, yet they follow surprisingly universal rules. In this talk, I will explore how the same physical processes power both stellar-mass black holes in our Galaxy and the supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. By combining global optical monitoring with ultra-high-resolution radio observations, my work tracks how black holes feed, flare, and launch powerful jets of energy. Studying these systems across different wavelengths allows us to uncover patterns that connect objects separated by billions of times in size, revealing a unifying picture of how black holes grow and influence their environments.
Alongside the science, I will also reflect on the experience of women in astronomy and the broader landscape of gender differences in scientific achievement. Through these reflections, I hope to highlight how research is shaped not by talent alone, but also by access, representation, mentorship, and opportunity​; and why building a more inclusive scientific community is essential for discovery.”
Speaker (Online): Payaswini Saikia, PhD
Associate Research Scientist, Department of Astronomy and Physics, Yale UniversityPhD from Radboud UniversityFormer Postdoctoral Researcher at New York University Abu DhabiResearch focus: Accretion and ejection processes in compact objects
Audience: In-person at CASSA, IUB.

Journal Talk 16: Chen et al. (2023)
2026-03-03 13:30 - 14:10 UTC | CASSA, IUB Main Building Rooftop, Plot 16, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Block B, Bashundhara RA (Main Building Rooftop), Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
Detecting the H I power spectrum in the post-reionization Universe with SKA-Low.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stad2102
Presenter: Jannatul Feardous Nishi (graduated from the Department of Electrical & Electrical Engineering, RUET)
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Both in person and online.
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Durbin Training Camp 2
2026-03-06 10:00 - 2026-03-07 21:00 UTC | CASSA, IUB Main Building Rooftop, Plot 16, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Block B, Bashundhara RA (Main Building Rooftop), Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
In alignment with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) global theme, Women and Girls in Astronomy, we are excited to announce Durbin Training Camp 2. This event will be hosted at CASSA, Independent University, Bangladesh, from 6–7 March.
Durbin facilitates a series of intensive workshops and training camps designed to identify and recruit dedicated new volunteers through an exclusive fast-track process. This journey began in January 2025 with an inaugural workshop led by Dr. Lamiya Mowla at the Asian University for Women (AUW), Chattogram, followed by a second session hosted at CASSA in January 2026. Complementing these are the Durbin Training Camps; the first was organized by Dr. Lamiya Mowla along the banks of the Dhaleshwari River in Keraniganj, while the upcoming second Training Camp is set to take place at CASSA.
While Durbin recruitment remains open year-round via the standard procedures outlined in the Durbin Manual, these sessions offer a high-intensity entry point for aspiring members. Participants who excelled in the second workshop have already joined the ranks as Volunteer Applicants, and the same pathway will be available to those attending the upcoming March camp. If you are eager to contribute to our cosmic mission and accelerate your involvement, we encourage you to review the application details below and prepare to join our growing community of explorers.
Please note that mastery of the Durbin Workshop 2 materials is a prerequisite for this Training Camp; we expect all applicants to be familiar with those core concepts before applying.
Program

Day 1: Mar 6 (in person at CASSA)
Day 2: Mar 7 (in person at CASSA)

10 am: Observing the Night Sky
02:00 pm: Hands-on solar observation

11:30 am: Telescopes and Detectors
07:00 pm: Planetary and Deep Space Observation

03 pm: Citizen Science with Unistellar

* The observations have to be done by each group separately. The participants will be divided into 6 groups.
Resources: (https://astro.unl.edu/naap/)
Topics:
1. Basic Coordinate and Seasons
2. The Rotating Sky
3. Cosmic Distance Ladder
word version: naap_distance_sg_08

Assessment Pretest: Must be completed together as a group.
Assessment Posttest: Must be completed and submitted individually.

Instructor

Dr. Syed Ashraf Uddin Associate Professor Department of Physical Sciences Independent University, Bangladesh

Participation

Seats: 30. We have 60% seats available for women participants only. Financial aid available for women participants outside Dhaka.
Application form: https://forms.gle/xpLHCkN5HBmVoV5F9
Deadline: February 24, 2026 (11:59:59 PM)
Decision Announcement: February 28, 2026

Participant List

Adiba Habiba
Dhaka
United International University

Adita Ferdous
Dhaka
Brac University

Ali Newaj
Chattogram
University of Chittagong

Ashratul Zannati Purnota
Dhaka
Independent University, Bangladesh

Asmaul Husna Juhana
Dhaka
Independent University, Bangladesh

Avranil Mitra
Dhaka
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

Fabia Farzana Tisha
Dhaka
American International University Bangladesh

Farhana Ferdous
Dhaka
BRAC University

Fariba Nehreen Binti
Chattogram
University of Chittagong

Farzana Yasmin
Dhaka
Daffodil International University

Hredeta Nag
Dhaka
Independent University, Bangladesh

Iman Sheikh
Dhaka
Independent University, Bangladesh

Kashfia Rahman
Dhaka
Independent University Bangladesh

Kazi Nusrat Tasneem
Sylhet
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Laboni Akter Setu
Barishal
Barishal University

M.O.B. JIHAD
Dhaka
American International University Bangladesh

Mahdi Hasan Mahi
Dhaka
BCIC College

Mahin Istiaz Jahan Tithy
Dhaka
Jagannath University

Mahjan Sabibia Aban
Dhaka
United International University

Masuk Ridwan Saumo
Dhaka
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

MD MUNEM SHAHRIAR
Gazipur
National University (On-Campus)

Mizanur Rahman Howlader
Dinajpur
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University

Most.Maftahul zannat
Dhaka
American International University Bangladesh

Mozammal Hossain Masum
Dhaka
Independent University, Bangladesh

MST. MARIA KHATUN
Pabna
Govt. Edward College

Mst. Nusrat Jahan Tabassum
Noakhali
Noakhali Science and Technology University

Mubashira Rahman Ibnat
Dhaka
Summerfield International School

Nafia Papry
Dhaka
BRAC University

Nafisa Tabbassum
Dhaka
United international University

Raiyan Kawsar
Dhaka
University of Dhaka

Rownok Shahariar
Pabna
Govt. Edward College

SADIA AFRIN
Jashore
Jashore University of Science and Technology

Shanjida Nahar
Gopalganj
Gopalganj Science and Technology University

Sujana Tanjin
Dhaka
Daffodil International University

Tanmoy Das
Dhaka
American International University Bangladesh

Tanzila Tabassum
Dhaka
Independent University, Bangladesh

Tasmia Tabasum Ami
Jashore
Jashore University of Science and Technology

Tasnin Ara
Pabna
Govt. Edward College

Yead Muhammad Ivan
Dhaka
BRAC University

Journal Talk 17: Bonaldi et al. (2026)
2026-03-10 13:30 - 14:15 UTC | CASSA, IUB Main Building Rooftop, Plot 16, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Block B, Bashundhara RA (Main Building Rooftop), Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
SKA-LOW SIMULATIONS FOR A COSMIC DAWN/EPOCH OF REIONISATION DEEP FIELD.
Link: https://arxiv.org/html/2506.09533v2
Presenter: Muhammad Jobair Hasan (BSc and MSc in Physics from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology)
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Both in person and online.
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Astronomy Night 13: Meet An Astronomer
2026-03-13 19:00 - 22:00 (Asia/Dhaka) | Masjidbari Secondary School and College, Barisal, R5M2+M7Q, Masjid bari high school and college, Satbaria, Sayedkathi Union, Bangladesh
On the night of Friday, March 13, join us at Masjidbari High School & College, Banaripara, Barisal, for a special astronomical evening. The event will open with a cinematic screening of “From Earth to the Universe,” a visual odyssey traveling from our home planet through the Solar System and Milky Way to the farthest reaches of the cosmos. This immersive journey provides a profound perspective on our place in space before we turn our gaze to the skies of Barisal.
Following the screening, astrophysicist Dr. Syed Ashraf Uddin will give an inspiring public talk on the scientific importance of dark skies. Dr. Uddin will share the wonder of the cosmos and his own journey as a scientist, aiming to spark curiosity and offer attendees a unique glimpse into the professional world of astronomy right here in Bangladesh.
Throughout the evening, you will have the opportunity to observe the craters of the Moon and the moons of Jupiter through our manual telescopes, while our automated systems showcase live imagery of deep-sky objects. We invite you to join us under the quiet dark of the countryside to explore the universe with a renewed sense of wonder and context.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/FXizt55wTo88zUpt7

CASSA Workshop 4: Numerical Methods in Astronomy
2026-05-20 08:00 - 2026-05-24 17:00 UTC | CASSA, IUB Main Building Rooftop, Plot 16, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Block B, Bashundhara RA (Main Building Rooftop), Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
Principal instructor: Syeda Lammim Ahad, PhD; WCA Postdoctoral Fellow, Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics, University of Waterloo, Canada. PhD from Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
