MOST ADVANCE ASTRONOMY GROUP IN MUMBAI
Horizon Team and Staff Members
Mihir Gilbile
Milind Pandurang Shirgaokar
Milind Pandurang Shirgaokar
Founder & Senior Astronomer
Experience
13 Years
Qualifications
MA-THM
Astronomy from Mumbai University
"In 2020, I left my corporate job in tourism and hospitality to pursue my passion for astronomy and founded Horizon Astronomical Society with a small team. My main goal is to spread awareness of astronomy and make stargazing accessible to ever
Founder & Senior Astronomer
Experience
13 Years
Qualifications
MA-THM
Astronomy from Mumbai University
"In 2020, I left my corporate job in tourism and hospitality to pursue my passion for astronomy and founded Horizon Astronomical Society with a small team. My main goal is to spread awareness of astronomy and make stargazing accessible to everyone. With my professional background, I envisioned hosting astro tours and promoting astro tourism, which is now steadily growing. This year, I achieved a major milestone by leading our first astro tour. At Horizon, I strive to inspire others to explore the wonders of the universe through engaging events and experiences."
Milind Pandurang Shirgaokar
Milind Pandurang Shirgaokar
Milind Pandurang Shirgaokar
Senior Astronomer
Experience
39 years
Qualifications
BA, Astronomy from Mumbai University
Since 1986 in the field of astronomy
guest lecturer, trekker, bird watcher, eclipse hunter (haven't missed a single across the country).
Experienced the sights of comets like Hyakutake, Hale-Bopp, Halley's Comet, Comet Shoemaker–Levy
An Inspiration for all the Staff Members of Horizon.
Prathit More
Milind Pandurang Shirgaokar
Darsh Premlal
Lead Astronomer
Experience
5 Years
Qualifications
BSc Computer Science
Astronomy from Mumbai University
I was a member of the small group that founded the Horizon Astronomical Society. Currently, I serve as a Core Team Member of Horizon. My responsibilities include managing telescopes and overseeing the Horizon website. For the last three year
Lead Astronomer
Experience
5 Years
Qualifications
BSc Computer Science
Astronomy from Mumbai University
I was a member of the small group that founded the Horizon Astronomical Society. Currently, I serve as a Core Team Member of Horizon. My responsibilities include managing telescopes and overseeing the Horizon website. For the last three years, I have also been training interns and have delved into astrophotography, organized numerous events, conducted specialized astrophotography workshops, participated in Astro-tours such as those in Spiti Valley and Ladakh, meteor showers, and much more.
Darsh Premlal
Sanchit Darves
Darsh Premlal
Lead Stargazer
Experience
5 Years
Qualifications
B.Sc. in Physics from University of Mumbai.
Associated with Horizon Astronomical Society since 2020. Was a course student then started to work as a Professional Stargazer and played a key role in Founding Horizon. Now part of the core team, conducting private events and also as a visiting facult
Lead Stargazer
Experience
5 Years
Qualifications
B.Sc. in Physics from University of Mumbai.
Associated with Horizon Astronomical Society since 2020. Was a course student then started to work as a Professional Stargazer and played a key role in Founding Horizon. Now part of the core team, conducting private events and also as a visiting faculty. Passionate about educating young learners and enthusiasts. I believe that anyone can learn or do anything if they put their heart to it.
Sanchit Darves
Sanchit Darves
Sanchit Darves
Lead Astronomer
Experience
4 years of experience handling an equatorial mount.
4 years of experience doing planetary astrophotography.
3 years of experience doing deep sky astrophotography.
Qualifications
BE Civil Engineering & Astronomy from Mumbai University
Interested in the field of astronomy since the age of 10. Got my 1st telescope in 20
Lead Astronomer
Experience
4 years of experience handling an equatorial mount.
4 years of experience doing planetary astrophotography.
3 years of experience doing deep sky astrophotography.
Qualifications
BE Civil Engineering & Astronomy from Mumbai University
Interested in the field of astronomy since the age of 10. Got my 1st telescope in 2020 and started astronomy in the month of December of the same year. Did MU course for astronomy and astrophysics in 2023-2024. Now active as Lead in Horizon's Stargazing Eventsg
Surendra Singh
Sanchit Darves
Sanchit Darves
Lead Astronomer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
BE in Computer Engineering
Software Developer by day
and stargazer by night.
Joined Horizon after completing
Horizon's Astronomy Course as a Student, now working with Horizon handling events as a Lead Stargazer
and spreading the awareness of celestial wonders.
Alpesh Patel
Alpesh Patel
Alpesh Patel
Lead Stargazer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
B.Sc. IT
"I am a creative and versatile individual with a passion for dancing and stargazing. I graduated with a B.Sc. IT, which has provided me with a strong technical foundation. Currently, I work as a Database Manager at The Indian Express. I have a deep love for music and enjoy travelling, which reflects my adventurous and artistic nature"
Aniket Kuril
Alpesh Patel
Alpesh Patel
Lead Stargazer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
B.Sc. Physics
"Can call me astronomer because not only I like to watch the stars and planets but also to study the night sky and other scientific things. Complex ones too.
Volunteering Horizon's events to taking lead have learned a lot and will keep learning."
Anushka Patil
Alpesh Patel
Akanksha Patil
Lead Stargazer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
BBA in Travel and Tourism Management
As a student of Travel and Tourism Management and Lead Stargazer at the Horizon Astronomical Society, I'm passionate about astrotourism and hunting deep sky objects. I also lead heritage walks in places like Worli Koliwada and Mumbai Port, connecting people w
Lead Stargazer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
BBA in Travel and Tourism Management
As a student of Travel and Tourism Management and Lead Stargazer at the Horizon Astronomical Society, I'm passionate about astrotourism and hunting deep sky objects. I also lead heritage walks in places like Worli Koliwada and Mumbai Port, connecting people with history. Blending my love for the cosmos and culture, I proudly call myself “Celestial Guide.”
Akanksha Patil
Riddhi Dhondkar
Akanksha Patil
Social Media and Marketing
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
BA - Multimedia and Mass communication
Executing social media strategy, managing posting schedules, and monitor engagement metrics.
Creating diverse digital assets, including graphics, videos, etc for marketing campaigns.
Updating and managing website content, focusing on accuracy and user experience.
Riddhi Dhondkar
Riddhi Dhondkar
Riddhi Dhondkar
Astrophysicist and Lead Astronomer
Experience
4 Year
Qualifications
PGT Astrophysics (University of Glasgow, Scotland)
Titans Space Astronaut Candidate (06/2030)
I guide visitors through telescopes observations, conduct night sky sessions, celestial navigation and deep-sky observations. My aim is to make astronomy accessible and also to inspire people to explore our universe with curiosity.
Yash Neve
Riddhi Dhondkar
Riddhi Dhondkar
Lead Astronomer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
Diploma in computer engineering
Amateur astronomer and an active stargazer, currently learning and exploring the night sky as a student of astronomy. After successfully completing the Horizon Observational Astronomy Course in 2024, my curiosity for the universe deepened through hands-on sky s
Lead Astronomer
Experience
1 Year
Qualifications
Diploma in computer engineering
Amateur astronomer and an active stargazer, currently learning and exploring the night sky as a student of astronomy. After successfully completing the Horizon Observational Astronomy Course in 2024, my curiosity for the universe deepened through hands-on sky sessions and telescope learning.
My interests revolve around astronomy, star-gazing adventures, trekking to dark-sky locations, and exploring the visible cosmos.
