On July 20, 2025, an interactive workshop titled “Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Geosciences” took place at the University College of Science, Osmania University in Hyderabad. Organized by the Society of Geologists (SOCGEO) in collaboration with the Department of Geology, this event brought together experts and professionals to explore the integration of AI in geoscience research and applications.

Importance of AI in Data Analysis

During the workshop, Prof. D. Karuna Sagar, a Senior Professor of Physics and Dean of the Faculty of Science at Osmania University, emphasized the critical role of AI in scientific analysis. He highlighted how AI’s capability to swiftly process large volumes of data significantly enhances research efficiency. This speed and accuracy are essential in fields like geology, where data analysis can be time-consuming and complex.

Prof. G Prabhakar, Principal of the University College of Science and Chairperson of the Board of Studies at Osmania University, cautioned attendees about the importance of data quality in AI applications. He noted that incorrect data inputs could lead to misleading results, underscoring the need for rigorous validation processes when employing AI technologies.

Also present at the workshop were Prof. I Panduranga Reddy, Director of the Directorate of Admissions and Head of the Department of Geology, along with members of the organizing committee, including B P Ramprasad, P Nagendra Kumar, TPS Ramam, PK Mathur, Mukund Kulkarni, and C. Hanumanth Reddy. Their collective expertise contributed to the discussions surrounding the future of AI in geosciences.

Industry Insights and Future Directions

The workshop also attracted senior professionals from the Oil & Gas and Mineral & Mining industries, including C Sandilya, CVSN Prasad, JD Rao, DN Prasad, and Basha. Their participation highlighted the growing interest in AI applications within these sectors, where data-driven decisions are becoming increasingly vital.

Concluding the event, Prof. B. Veeraiah, Head of the Department of Centre of Exploration Geophysics at Osmania University, remarked on the transformative potential of AI technologies in geosciences. He encouraged ongoing collaboration between academia and industry to foster innovation and improve research outcomes.

As the field of geosciences continues to evolve, workshops like this one play an essential role in bridging the gap between technology and practical applications, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to harness the power of AI.

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed the most accurate atomic clock to date, capable of measuring time with an unprecedented precision that could last for billions of years without losing a second. This groundbreaking achievement, revealed in March 2024, utilizes advanced quantum logic techniques, marking a significant milestone in the field of precision measurement.

This revolutionary atomic clock is based on aluminum ions and boasts an accuracy rate that surpasses previous models by a staggering 41%. It is also 2.6 times more stable than any ion clock previously constructed. Researchers achieved this remarkable precision through a combination of laser tuning and innovative vacuum chamber engineering.

Mason Marshall, a researcher at NIST and the lead author of the study published in Physical Review Letters, expressed excitement about this significant advancement, stating, “It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever. At NIST, we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

Innovative Techniques for Enhanced Precision

The clock operates by pairing an aluminum ion with a magnesium ion, leveraging their unique properties to create an exceptionally precise timekeeping system. Aluminum is known for its steady atomic ticks, which are less affected by environmental factors such as temperature and magnetic fields compared to traditional cesium clocks. However, aluminum’s interaction with lasers posed a challenge.

Researchers addressed this issue by introducing magnesium, which is more compatible with laser techniques. In this setup, magnesium assists in cooling the aluminum ion and reflects its movements, allowing scientists to monitor the aluminum’s clock state through magnesium’s behavior. This innovative dual-ion system ultimately enhances the reliability and accuracy of the clock.

One of the primary challenges in developing this atomic clock was the design of the ion trap, which holds the ions in place. Initially, tiny vibrations, known as excess micromotion, disrupted the ions’ ticking rhythm. To rectify this, scientists redesigned the trap’s base using a thicker diamond wafer for increased stability and adjusted the gold coatings on the electrodes. These modifications minimized resistance and created a more stable environment for the ions, allowing for consistent and precise timekeeping.

Tackling Challenges for Improved Functionality

Despite its advanced design, the atomic clock faced interference from traces of hydrogen escaping from the steel vacuum chamber, which interfered with the ions’ ticking. To combat this, the team upgraded the chamber material to titanium, successfully reducing hydrogen levels by 150 times. This change enabled the clock to operate for extended periods without interruption, significantly enhancing its performance.

Additionally, the researchers required a super-stable laser to ensure accurate measurements of the ion’s ticks. The previous version of the clock relied on extensive averaging over weeks to smooth out quantum jitters. The NIST team collaborated with Jun Ye and his group at JILA, utilizing one of the most stable lasers globally, which had already been employed in the record-setting Strontium 1 lattice clock.

This collaboration involved a 3.6-kilometer underground fiber-optic connection to transmit the ultra-stable laser, ensuring precise synchronization of the aluminum ion clock’s laser. As a result, the time required for ion probing improved from 150 milliseconds to one full second, and the measurement speed increased dramatically, allowing for ultra-precise counting down to the 19th decimal place in just 1.5 days instead of three weeks.

This atomic clock not only sets new standards in timekeeping but also has broader implications. It has the potential to redefine the official length of a second and serve as a platform for exploring new clock architectures and quantum physics applications. Moreover, it could assist in Earth geodesy, providing precise measurements of Earth’s shape and gravitational field, and enable investigations into fundamental questions about the constants of nature.

With the advancement of this atomic clock, NIST researchers are poised to explore new horizons in precision measurement and quantum technology, paving the way for future innovations in the field. The findings represent a significant leap forward in both scientific understanding and practical applications of atomic timekeeping.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has provided a glimpse into his recent experience aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In a video posted on social media, Shukla attempts to illustrate the challenge of remaining still in microgravity, a task that proved more difficult than he anticipated.

The footage, which was recorded shortly after his arrival at the ISS, shows Shukla floating in space. He candidly remarked on his struggle to maintain stillness, saying, “Apparently being still is a challenge with or without gravity.” The video highlights his early days on the space station, where he was still learning to navigate his surroundings.

Shukla, who made history as India’s first astronaut to conduct research on the ISS, described the experience of achieving stillness in space as akin to finding mental calm in an increasingly fast-paced world. He stated, “Any small disturbance can move your body in space and it takes skill to be completely still. Kind of like our minds in this fast-moving world. Take some time to be still today. It is important to sometimes slow down to be fast.”

Mission Highlights and Return to Earth

Shukla’s mission with the Axiom-4 team concluded with a successful return to Earth on June 15, 2023. The Dragon Grace spacecraft, carrying Shukla and three fellow astronauts, splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California. This mission marked a significant milestone for India, with Shukla becoming the second Indian to venture into space, following the legendary Rakesh Sharma.

Currently, Shukla is in Houston, where he is reuniting with his family. His wife, Kamna, and their six-year-old son, Kiash, have already arrived in the city. Following the mission, an official statement from Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that Shukla and his colleagues will remain in quarantine until July 23, 2023, to complete necessary medical and re-adaptation procedures.

During the 20-day mission, Shukla spent a substantial 18 days aboard the ISS, conducting various microgravity experiments developed by both ISRO and NASA. The astronauts orbited Earth approximately 320 times and traveled over 1.35 million kilometers during their time in space.

Shukla’s experiences not only highlight the remarkable achievements of ISRO but also serve as a reminder of the personal and scientific endeavors that define space exploration. His reflections on stillness may resonate with many, encouraging a pause in the hustle of daily life.

The Viking 1 and Viking 2 missions, launched by NASA in the mid-1970s, marked a significant milestone in the exploration of Mars. These missions aimed to investigate the planet for signs of life and gather vital data about its surface and atmosphere. With their successful landings, the Viking spacecraft not only advanced scientific understanding but also ignited public interest in the mysteries of the red planet.

The journey began with the Mariner 9 mission, which entered orbit around Mars in 1971. Its images revealed surface features suggesting past liquid water, prompting the need for landers equipped to analyze Martian soil and atmosphere. Budget constraints altered initial plans for a long-duration lander, leading to the development of two orbiters and two landers with a shorter operational timeline.

The Viking project, managed by NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, launched Viking 1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 20, 1975. As Viking 1 embarked on its 304-day journey, Viking 2 followed suit on September 9, beginning its 320-day voyage to Mars.

Historic Landings and Discoveries

On June 19, 1976, Viking 1 entered an elliptical orbit around Mars, with mission planners aiming for a landing on July 4. This date held significance as it coincided with the U.S. bicentennial. However, the original landing site was found to be too rough, necessitating a two-week delay to select a safer location. On July 20, Viking 1 successfully separated from its orbiter and landed in the Chryse Planitia region, coinciding with another historic date: the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.

Viking 2 followed by entering orbit on July 25 and landing in Utopia Planitia on September 3. The landers, weighing 978 kg, began transmitting data and images immediately after touchdown, providing high-resolution photographs and panoramic views of their surroundings.

The Viking 1 lander captured a 300-degree panorama, revealing the Martian landscape and showcasing the complexity of its environment. Although the seismometer failed, other instruments recorded critical data, including temperature fluctuations ranging from minus 86 degrees Celsius before dawn to minus 33 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. Notably, on July 28, Viking 1 scooped its first soil samples, leading to insights into the planet’s geology and atmosphere.

Lasting Impact and Legacy

Both Viking missions were initially intended to last for 90 days, but they far exceeded expectations. The orbiters continued their missions until August 17, 1980, for Viking 1 and July 24, 1978, for Viking 2. The landers contributed to the understanding of Martian weather patterns until November 11, 1982, for Viking 1 and April 12, 1980, for Viking 2.

Through these missions, the Viking landers returned approximately 4,500 images from the Martian surface, enhancing our understanding of its cold, dry atmosphere primarily composed of carbon dioxide. The data indicated the presence of ancient riverbeds and evidence of past flooding, reshaping scientific theories about Mars.

The Thomas A. Mutch Memorial Station now honors the legacy of the project’s imaging team leader, who passed away in 1980. Viking 1 set a record for the longest operational spacecraft on Mars, functioning for 2,307 Earth days or 2,245 Martian sols, until a human error interrupted communication in 1982.

These pioneering missions laid the groundwork for future Mars exploration, proving that while the search for life on Mars did not yield direct results, the scientific discoveries were invaluable. The Viking missions remain a testament to humanity’s quest for knowledge and understanding of our neighboring planet.