ISRO releases second set of scientific data from Aditya mission

Sub : Sci

Sec : Space sector

Context:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the second set of scientific data from its Aditya-L1 solar mission.
The Aditya-L1 mission, launched on September 2, 2023, is currently observing the Sun during its third revolution in a halo orbit around L1, which is located 1.5 million kilometres from Earth towards the Sun.
The datasets provide valuable information about the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, along with particle and magnetic field measurements from the first Earth-Sun Lagrange Point (L1).

Access to Data:

The Aditya-L1 datasets are widely accessible through the Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC) portal. Researchers and students can access the data for further analysis by visiting the ISSDC website at www.issdc.gov.in/adityal1.html or through the PRADAN portal at pradan.issdc.gov.in/al1 and pradan1.issdc.gov.in/al1.
User manuals for analysing the Aditya-L1 payload data are also available on these portals after registration.
ISRO encourages the scientific community, researchers, and students to utilize these datasets for further study and exploration.

About Aditya-L1 Mission:

Aditya-L1 is India’s inaugural mission dedicated to studying the Sun, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Launched on September 2, 2023, aboard the PSLV-C57 rocket, the spacecraft was successfully inserted into a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1) on January 6, 2024.

Mission Objectives:

Investigate the behaviour and heating mechanisms of the Sun’s chromosphere and corona, including the study of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their origins.
Analyse the properties and dynamics of the solar wind, enhancing our understanding of space weather phenomena and their impact on Earth.
Measure energetic particle fluxes and magnetic fields in the space environment around L1 to study the solar wind and magnetic storms affecting both space and terrestrial technologies.

Payloads:

Significance of L1 Orbit:

Positioned at the L1 point, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth towards the Sun, Aditya-L1 enjoys an uninterrupted view of the Sun, free from Earth’s shadow. This strategic location allows for continuous solar observations.