Overview
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL; Hindi: भौतिक अनुसंधान प्रयोगशाला) is a national research institute for space and allied sciences, supported mainly by the Department of Space, Government of India. Located in Ahmedabad, the laboratory carries out research programmes in astronomy and astrophysics, atmospheric sciences and aeronomy, planetary and geosciences, Earth sciences, Solar System studies, and theoretical physics. It also manages the Udaipur Solar Observatory and the Mount Abu InfraRed Observatory.
PRL was founded on 11 November 1947 by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. The laboratory had a modest beginning at his residence, with research on cosmic rays. It was formally established at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad, with support from the Karmkshetra Educational Foundation and the Ahmedabad Education Society. Prof. K. R. Ramanathan served as the first director of the institute.
The initial focus of the institute was on cosmic rays and the properties of the upper atmosphere. Research areas were subsequently expanded to include theoretical physics and radio physics, aided by grants from the United States Atomic Energy Commission. The PRL building was designed by the architect Achyut Kanvinde in 1962.
Today, PRL conducts research across five major fields of science and is also instrumental in the PLANEX planetary science and exploration programme. In June 2018, PRL scientists reported the discovery of an exoplanet designated EPIC 211945201b (also known as K2-236b), located about 600 light years from Earth.