Historic Collaboration of Amity University Chhattisgarh with NASA-USA: Launches State’s First AERONET Atmospheric Monitoring Station

RAIPUR,CG (INDIA): Amity University Chhattisgarh (AUC), Raipur, has marked a historic milestone in environmental research by becoming the first academic institution in the state of Chhattisgarh to establish a formal scientific collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA. The university proudly announces the successful launch of a NASA-AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) Atmospheric Monitoring Station on its campus, making it the second Amity institution after Amity University Haryana, Gurugram, to join this prestigious international network. This groundbreaking development has been facilitated under a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the Amity Education Group, reinforcing AUC’s position as a forward-looking institution committed to cutting-edge global research.

The AERONET station at AUC, identified as Amity_Univ_Raipur, is now an active node within NASA’s global network of over 600 atmospheric monitoring stations across more than 80 countries. Installed at geographic coordinates 21.396°N latitude and 81.891°E longitude at an altitude of 298 meters, the station operates under the latest AERONET Version 3 DS and SDA Version 4.1 protocols. It generates real-time, high-resolution aerosol data vital for climate change research, air quality assessment, satellite data validation, and green policy development. The data collected at AUC is automatically uploaded to NASA’s central portal and made publicly accessible, supporting open-science initiatives and global environmental monitoring.

This state-of-the-art facility enables Raipur and the surrounding industrial zones to be scientifically integrated into international environmental datasets, allowing for more robust climate modeling, air pollution tracking, and disaster risk mitigation strategies. Aerosols, or tiny atmospheric particles, significantly influence weather patterns, public health, agriculture, and regional climate conditions. With increasing urbanization and industrial activity in Chhattisgarh, this NASA-enabled facility is a timely and powerful addition to regional scientific infrastructure.

The establishment and commissioning of the station is the result of a collaborative effort between international and Indian scientists. The local Principal Investigator of the project is Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Kant Pandey, Vice Chancellor of AUC, supported by Co-Principal Investigator Prof. Roshan Mathew, and atmospheric scientist Dr. C.S. Devara of Amity University Haryana. The global collaborators from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center include Dr. Brent Holben, AERONET Project Scientist, and Dr. Alexander Smirnov, Lead SDA Scientist. The scientific and operational rigor ensured by this team guarantees the station’s full alignment with NASA’s high standards of data integrity and real-time integration.

This achievement reflects the visionary leadership of Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Hon’ble Founder President of the Amity Education Group, Dr. Aseem Chauhan, Hon’ble Chairman of Amity University Chhattisgarh, and Dr. W. Selvamurthy, Hon’ble Chancellor of AUC. Their unwavering commitment to innovation, international collaboration, and academic excellence has been the cornerstone in making this NASA-AUC partnership a reality.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Kant Pandey emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating that the NASA-AERONET station at AUC is not only a historic moment for the university but a proud achievement for the entire state. He added that the station will empower students, researchers, policymakers, and environmental leaders with accurate, validated data essential for shaping climate action strategies, improving air quality, and fostering sustainable development. He noted that this facility will also act as a live learning and research platform for students, while opening up opportunities for collaborative projects with national institutions like ISRO, CPCB, IMD, and the Ministry of Environment.

The establishment of this NASA station marks a new chapter in the scientific growth of Chhattisgarh. It strengthens Amity University Chhattisgarh’s commitment to promoting environmental awareness, research-driven education, and the training of future leaders in climate and atmospheric sciences. The open-access data from the station will also support diverse applications, from weather forecasting and agricultural advisory systems to health-based alerts and environmental risk planning. With this achievement, Amity University Chhattisgarh stands at the forefront of global academic partnerships, firmly positioning Raipur on the international research map.