ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Solar Mission Captures Sun’s Dynamic Activities
- June 11, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Solar Mission Captures Sun’s Dynamic Activities
Sub: Science and tech
Sec: Space sector
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released a series of images and observations from its Aditya-L1 mission, India’s first solar mission, highlighting significant solar activities. These observations were made by various payloads onboard the mission, particularly during a solar storm that occurred from May 8 to May 15.
Key Highlights:
Solar Activities Captured:
- The sun’s active region AR13664 experienced several X-class and M-class solar flares, accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on May 8 and 9.
- The Solar Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) and Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payloads, which were initially in baking and calibration modes, started capturing images from May 14.
Released Images and Observations:
- ISRO released six images on June 10, taken by the SUIT payload at different wavelengths on May 17.
- These images are crucial for studying solar flares, energy distribution, sunspots, space weather prediction, and UV radiation monitoring across a wide wavelength range. They also contribute to the study of long-term solar variations.
Scientific and Practical Implications:
- Understanding Solar Phenomena:
- The captured images and data help scientists understand solar flares, energy distribution in the sun’s atmosphere, and the dynamics of sunspots. This knowledge is vital for predicting space weather, which can impact satellite operations, communications, and power grids on Earth.
- Space Weather Prediction:
- By studying the interactions of solar flares and CMEs with the Earth’s magnetic field, researchers can improve models for space weather forecasting. This can enhance the preparedness for solar storms that might affect technological infrastructure.
- Long-Term Solar Monitoring:
- Continuous monitoring and analysis of the sun’s activity over time will contribute to understanding long-term solar variations.
- This information is crucial for understanding the sun’s influence on Earth’s climate and space environment.
- Technological Advancements:
- The successful deployment and operation of the SUIT, VELC, SoLEXS, HEL1OS, ASPEX, and MAG payloads demonstrate India’s growing capabilities in space technology and solar research.
The data collected by Aditya-L1’s payloads during the solar storm in May provide valuable insights into solar phenomena and reinforce the importance of continuous solar observation for scientific and practical applications.
Aditya-L1 Mission
About:
- The ADITYA-L1 mission is dedicated to studying the Sun and will fly approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth to the Lagrange point 1 (L1), one of the five favorable spots for observing the Sun.
- The mission is expected to be launched using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket.
- It will provide regular images and updates on the Sun’s surface phenomena and space weather.
Features:
- ADITYA-L1 will carry seven different payloads capable of studying various phenomena on the Sun across the electromagnetic spectrum and solar wind. These payloads include:
- Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)
- Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
- Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS)
- Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX)
- High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS)
- Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA)
- Advanced Tri-axial High-Resolution Digital Magnetometers
Lagrange Points:
- “L1” refers to the Lagrange point 1. Lagrange points are specific points in space where the gravitational forces of two large bodies, such as the Sun and the Earth, balance the centrifugal force felt by a smaller body.
- Lagrange points can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.
L1 Point:
- L1 is one of the five Lagrange points in the Sun-Earth system. Of the five, three are unstable (L1, L2, and L3) and two are stable (L4 and L5).
- The unstable Lagrange points (L1, L2, and L3) lie along the line connecting the two large masses.
- The stable Lagrange points (L4 and L5) form the apex of two equilateral triangles that have the large masses at their vertices. L4 leads the orbit of Earth, and L5 follows.
- The L1 point of the Earth-Sun system provides an uninterrupted view of the sun and is currently home to the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite.
The Aditya-L1 mission will be crucial for advancing our understanding of the Sun and improving our ability to predict and mitigate the impacts of solar activities on Earth.
About SUIT:
- SUIT aims to study the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) emissions and capture high-resolution images of the Sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona, in various UV wavelengths.
- It will operate in the far and near ultraviolet regions, covering wavelengths of 200-400 nanometers.
- SUIT will observe the hotter and more dynamic regions of the Sun’s atmosphere, such as the transition region and the corona.
Significance:
- The Sun is challenging to study due to its high emissions and radiation.
- SUIT will enable scientists to unravel the secrets of the Sun and its impact on Earth and other planets.
- It will measure UV radiation hazardous to human health, such as that which can cause skin cancer.
- SUIT will monitor the Sun’s activity and provide early warnings of potential solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can affect satellites, communication systems, power grids, and human health on Earth.
What is VELC?
The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is the largest payload on the Aditya-L1 mission. It is an internally occulted solar coronagraph capable of simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry close to the solar limb.
The VELC includes:
- Coronagraph: Blocks direct sunlight to observe the corona.
- Spectrograph: Analyzes light to identify elements and measure various physical conditions.
- Polarimetry Module: Measures the polarization of light to study magnetic fields.
- Detectors and Auxiliary Optics: Capture and process images and data.
VELC is built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST (Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology) campus in Hosakote, Karnataka.
Purpose:
- Observe the Solar Corona: The tenuous outermost layer of the solar atmosphere.
- Analyze Coronal Conditions: Temperature, plasma velocity, and density.
- Study Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields.
- Examine Solar Wind: The continuous flow of charged particles from the sun.
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)
What are CMEs – Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona.
Composition: Particle radiation (mostly protons and electrons) and strong magnetic fields.
Speed: CMEs travel at very high speeds, often hundreds of kilometers per second.
Impact: CMEs can create shocks that ripple through the solar system and potentially disrupt satellites, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.
The Aditya-L1 mission, equipped with VELC and other payloads, aims to provide unprecedented insights into solar phenomena such as CMEs, thereby enhancing our understanding of the Sun’s impact on space weather and terrestrial technologies.