Personal Story
Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue44 1–30 September 2023
Growing up in the westernmost state of India, Gujarat, where scorching temperatures could reach 50 degrees Celsius in the summer, it was quite a pleasant contrast when I moved to Canberra.
I started my PhD here four months ago. It has been enjoyable, particularly because all the research in astrophysics I have done until now has been remote. My fascination with astrophysics was not something I could have predicted during my childhood. It was during my undergraduate years at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee that I found myself drawn to it. Despite the lack of a significant focus on astrophysical research at my institution, I managed to secure internships by randomly emailing professors worldwide in pursuit of opportunities. This led me to RSAA, where I collaborated on a project involving observational methods to probe magnetic fields in elliptical galaxies. The project was intriguing, so I delved further into astrophysics with cosmological simulations before starting my PhD.
One of the most captivating things about Canberra is the mountains surrounding it. Living and working amidst the mountainous terrain, alongside the presence of kangaroos, feels like just the right environment to do research. The proximity of Canberra to picturesque hiking trails is a delight. During my undergraduate years, I ventured on moderate hikes (~4500 m) in the Himalayas, and it is nice to continue doing that. However, due to the challenging topography, the Himalayas demand meticulous planning and considerable travel time (also physical conditioning). Despite my institute being in the foothills of the Himalayas, it often took a day of travel to reach the starting point of hikes (often higher than Mt Kosciuszko). An exceptional hike in Himachal Pradesh is going to Bhrigu Lake, a lake near the summit at ~4300 m. Apart from the absurdity of a giant lake at the top of a mountain, it offers incredible views of mountain ranges hundreds of kilometres away. Just make sure you are not waving any napkins when you encounter wild bison on your way there.
In contrast, Canberra's accessible hiking trails allow me to explore rugged landscapes without many logistical hurdles. One could leave for a hike in the morning and be back by afternoon. Hiking has become an integral part of my life here, and I find myself incredibly lucky to have spotted a platypus on one of my first hikes here (head down to Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve to test out your luck)! Going to the Red Track in Bungonia National Park was a unique and challenging experience where you go down a gorge full of boulders and try to figure out a way to cross them. Baroomba rocks trail in Namadgi National Park offers stunning panoramic views of nearby mountain ranges.
You can click this link for some pictures of my past and current hikes (unfortunately, I could not find the best pictures easily) -> https://imgur.com/a/Cakw9eW
In addition to hiking, I like racket sports and playing the piano, and I have a newfound interest in bouldering, even if I'm still pretty bad at it. The opportunities for growth and exploration that Canberra offers are astounding. Engaging in outreach sessions and stargazing tours has been rewarding, enabling me to share my passion with the broader community. Enduring a painstaking year of waiting for my visa has been unequivocally worth it. As I look ahead, I am really excited to work at the interface between simulations and observations and explore Australia.
Hilay Shah
