“It always seems impossible until it’s done” by Nelson Mandela.
What I’m Curious About
Exoplanetary atmospheres · Photometry and spectroscopy · Planetary science · Astrobiology · Observational astronomy
Questions I Love to Think About
▪️Are we alone?
▪️What if I am in a Matrix?
▪️If Multiverse is real, what would my other versions do right now?
❤️Some things I love
JWST, Light-curves📉 Extremophiles🦠
About me…
🖖Welcome to Stardustwaves! I’m Anitha Raj, an astronomer and planetary scientist interested in how we use light to understand distant worlds.
My work brings together observations, data analysis and atmospheric modelling to explore planets beyond our Solar System. I’m especially curious about what clouds, hazes and chemical signatures can reveal about the conditions on these worlds.
My Research Journey ✨
At the European Southern Observatory in Garching, Germany, I completed a 12-month studentship and contributed to the Hunting for Habitable Near Super-Earths project. The study uses precise radial-velocity measurements from ESPRESSO on the VLT to search for rocky planets around nearby K-type stars.
My PhD research at the Universidad de Atacama in Chile focused on the atmospheres of hot Jupiters. By studying observations across wavelengths from the near-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared, I investigated clouds, hazes and atmospheric chemistry. I also studied the long-term transit timing of the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-19 b, exploring how observations can reveal changes in a planet’s orbit.
Since joining MiNDSTEp in 2022, I have also worked with the Danish telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory, contributing to microlensing searches and exoplanet research through remote and on-site observations.
A Few Milestones
My research journey has been supported by grants and scholarships, including an IAU grant to attend the CPS II Symposium in Belgium, an EAS travel grant, a Sagan Workshop lodging grant, the Adelina Gutiérrez scholarship, and an ESO studentship.
In 2017, I received the Sir C. V. Raman Award for my academic performance during my undergraduate studies in physics.
Achievements:
I started Stardustwaves in 2016 to share the ideas and discoveries that make astronomy so captivating. I’ve taken part in outreach activities in the Atacama region of Chile, including work with Observatorio Andrómeda. In 2025, I spoke about Exoplanets and the Possibility of Life at Dr. MGR University in Chennai, India.
I also served as a Scientific Assistant for ESO’s P115 proposal cycle in September 2024.
Work with me
I’m a postdoctoral researcher in astronomy, and I enjoy connecting research with students, fellow researchers, and curious audiences. I’m open to conversations and collaborations that make astronomy easier to explore and share.
Have an idea? Get in touch: stardustwavess@yahoo.com
