Dr. Vidushi Sharma

What motivated you to pursue a career in Astrophysics?

The seeds of scientific interest were planted in me in high school, when I watched the rocket launches on television and felt the thrill of missions to the Moon or Mars. As a science enthusiast, I found myself naturally drawn to physics—the laws that govern everything from atoms to galaxies. During my master's program, I was particularly interested in my courses on Gravitation and Cosmology, which introduced me to the physics of the Universe on large scales. My interest deepened further through documentaries, especially National Geographic episodes that explored time-delay experiments. The idea that we could test the theory of relativity on a cosmic scale filled me with excitement. Today, as an astrophysicist, I study extragalactic sources and relativistic jets, traveling close to speed of light and observed in gamma-rays using space-based telescopes. My research focuses on Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), the most energetic astrophysical events known (releasing more energy in just a few seconds than our Sun will emit over its entire lifetime!), which mark the births of black holes and neutron stars. My journey has not been a straight path; rather, various seeds of curiosity were sown at different stages of my academic career. An interesting coincidence is that my name, Vidushi, originates from Sanskrit, meaning "lady scholar." What started as a linguistic coincidence now feels like destiny in my role as a researcher in astrophysics.

What is your research focus?

My research focuses on transient and multi-messenger astronomy. I primarily work on the most energetic transient phenomena, GRBs, observed across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma-rays to radio waves. These events allow us to probe relativistic jets moving near light-speed, test Einstein's theory under extreme gravity, and study the life cycles of massive stars. GRBs are also sources of gravitational waves and high-energy neutrinos. To unravel their mysteries, I analyze timing, spectroscopic, and polarimetric data from space telescopes, which reveal the underlying radiation mechanisms that produce these jets, the nature of their central engines, particle acceleration processes, and magnetic fields in these events. Apart from GRB science, I work on the modernization effort of the General Coordinates Network (GCN): NASA’s Time-Domain and Multi-Messenger Alert System. I have designed a Unified Schema for new GCN Notices, establishing consistent observational properties across different missions. This standardization would benefit the seamless correlation studies of transients. I am actively working on the onboarding of new Notices for various missions worldwide, including the Einstein Probe, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, IceCube Neutrino Observatory, KM3Net, SVOM, and more. Through the GCN, I am contributing to rapid global follow-up observations of astrophysical transients. In the era of Artificial Intelligence, I also study research questions that can be answered with the large database of GCN Circulars.

Photo Credit: Dr. Carolyn Kierans.

How did you end up working at NASA Goddard?

Through conferences, I discovered that there is an active research group at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) specializing in time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy. After completing my PhD, I was looking for opportunities in this area at NASA. As pandemic restrictions eased in 2022, NASA resumed hiring international postdoctoral researchers. I diligently searched the American Astronomical Society (AAS) job register and found a newly listed position that perfectly aligned with my field: Transient and Multi-Messenger Astronomy Data Science. I applied for the position, and the interview turned into an engaging discussion, as we brainstormed ideas about modernizing the GCN to support follow-up observations. Shortly afterward, I received the job offer, and I am happy to be part of this team.

Photo Credit: Dr. Sanchita Pal.

What is one of your favorite moments in your career so far?

As I began my PhD, the LIGO collaboration announced the first detection of gravitational wave (GW) ripples in spacetime from colliding black holes, GW 150914. Around the same time, India launched AstroSat, its first multi-wavelength space observatory. As a young researcher, I chose to become an observational astronomer to learn the science of GRBs using AstroSat. In 2017, LIGO detected GW 170104, a black hole merger. Hours later, when AstroSat observed GRB 170105A, I shot off an email to Prof. Varun Bhalerao, who was searching for the electromagnetic counterparts to GW sources. The ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey had already reported an optical afterglow potentially associated with GW 170104, but AstroSat’s data told a different story, emphasizing the role of high-energy observations to complete the picture. Twenty-one hours’ time delay between the GW and GRB detections suggested the GRB was a separate, unrelated event, and the black holes merger left no visible trace. It was my first collaborative research paper! Excitingly, it was on breakfast tables, as it was also featured in the science section of “The Hindu,” a national newspaper, under the headline "AstroSat Rules Out Afterglow in Black Hole Merger." My friends and family noticed my picture and my research work as well. That period taught me science’s dual magic: the thrill of learning the Universe, and the joy of sharing those moments.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

The opportunity to work alongside visionary minds who turn science fiction concepts into instruments and validate theory through compelling observations keeps me enjoying my job. Witnessing what was once nearly impossible become a reality, and a hot topic of discussion in meetings, is inspiring. Participating in conferences fosters constructive discussions and sparks new collaborations. Beyond the science, I greatly appreciate the freedom and flexibility my job offers, particularly in exploring interdisciplinary topics, and having the autonomy to structure my work creatively. NASA’s culture enhances this enthusiasm. Whether gathering with colleagues to watch the total solar eclipse in 2024, attending the Artemis astronauts’ event, or seeing the construction of space missions in the labs, especially the sight of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, are constant reminders why I like my job.

Photo Credit: Restaurant Staff.

What is one thing you wish the public understood about your field of work?

Well, allow me to share a few! First, the overall lesson from scientific discovery is that breakthroughs happen as the result of years of patience, persistent effort, and learning from failures. For instance, Einstein predicted gravitational waves in 1916, but it took nearly a century of failed experiments and optimism to finally detect them in 2015. Secondly, astronomy and astrology are not the same. Astronomy is the science of “how”; it studies the Universe, including stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial objects, based on observable evidence. Astrology is the art of “why”; it links celestial patterns to human behavior through cultural and historical traditions. Lastly, when we look beyond Earth, timely responses and global unity are essential, whether we are studying exoplanets, energetic transients, or tracking asteroids. The Sanskrit phrase “Vasudev Kutumbakam” (“the world is one family”) isn’t just a philosophy; it’s a call to action when we are defending Earth from cosmic threats.

Photo Credit: Dr. Divya Rawat and Dr. Husne Dereli.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with new dishes, often following recipes from YouTube—and the best part is sharing these experiments with my friends. I also love traveling to unexplored destinations, and fortunately, my career allows me to wander the globe. Through my work, I have experienced three prominent cultures: the United States, Asia, and Europe. As a nature enthusiast, I enjoy hiking and visiting national parks. My best memories from travel are chasing the Aurora in Iceland and spotting two white lions in South Africa—something I had only seen in movies before. I love trying new activities, whether it’s scuba diving in Santorini or sailing in the Baltic Sea. I’m always open to discovering new places, cultures, and cuisines!