27/07/2024

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The Aditya-L1 Mission: Unveiling the Sun’s Mysteries

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ISRO’s Aditya-L1 Mission: Heading Towards the Sun

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In the late hours of the night, while most of us are tucked in our beds, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for an exciting event – the fourth earth-bound manoeuvre for its Aditya-L1 mission. Scheduled for 2 am IST, this critical step is part of a meticulously planned series of orbit-raising manoeuvres. These manoeuvres are essential to prepare Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, for its ambitious journey to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1). 1. When did the mission be initiated and what is next going to happen? Aditya-L1 embarked on its mission on September 2, and since then, it has been making steady progress. The spacecraft has already successfully executed three earth-bound manoeuvres, with the most recent one occurring on September 10. After the third manoeuvre, Aditya-L1 achieved a new orbit with dimensions of 296 km x 71767 km. However, the journey is far from over, as the fourth manoeuvre, scheduled for September 15, is poised to further elevate the spacecraft’s orbit, bringing it one step closer to its ultimate destination. 2. What is the significant of L1 point? The L1 point, initially discovered by the renowned mathematician Joseph Louis Lagrange, holds a special place in the realm of solar observations. A satellite positioned in a halo orbit around the L1 point enjoys an uninterrupted view of the Sun, free from any occultations or eclipses. This unique vantage point enables real-time observations of solar activities and their impact on space weather, making it a prime location for a solar observatory like Aditya-L1. 3. What are the payloads carried by Aditya L1? Aditya-L1 is not just another space mission; it’s a powerhouse of scientific instruments. The spacecraft carries seven payloads designed to study various layers of the Sun. Four of these payloads are dedicated to directly observing the Sun, providing us with valuable insights into its behaviour. Meanwhile, the remaining three payloads are focused on conducting in-situ studies of particles and fields at the L1 point, deepening our understanding of space weather and its effects. Conclusions: – As ISRO continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the Aditya-L1 mission stands as a testament to India’s commitment to advancing our knowledge of the Sun and its influence on our planet. So, while we sleep soundly, Aditya-L1 ventures into the depths of space, bringing us closer to unravelling the mysteries of our closest star. Watch this space for additional information on this fascinating mission!

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how The Aditya-L1 Mission: Unveiling the Sun's Mysteries

How Aditya-L1 Mission: Unveiling the Sun’s Mysteries 2023

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Aditya-L1, a pioneering mission, will be launched using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with seven carefully selected payloads (instruments) on board. These payloads include the following: 1.VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph) 2.Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) 3.Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) 4.Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) 5.High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) 6.Plasma Analyzer Package for Aditya (PAPA) 7.Advanced Tri-axial High-Resolution Digital Magnetometers The primary objective of the Aditya-L1 mission is to study various aspects of the Sun, including its corona, photosphere, chromosphere, solar emissions, solar winds, flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). It will carry out continuous imaging of the Sun, providing invaluable insights into our star’s behavior. To accomplish this, ISRO plans to launch Aditya-L1 into the L1 orbit, situated approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. This orbit allows the spacecraft to maintain uninterrupted observations of the Sun. But what exactly is L1? L1, short for Lagrangian/Lagrange Point 1, is one of five points in the orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system. These Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of two celestial bodies, like the Sun and Earth, create regions of enhanced attraction and repulsion. Spacecraft strategically positioned at these points can significantly reduce fuel consumption required to stay in position. Notably, the L1 point is also home to the Solar and Helio spheric Observatory Satellite (SOHO), a collaborative project between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). One of the most critical payloads aboard Aditya-L1 is VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph). This precision instrument, developed in India over 15 years, will play a pivotal role in unraveling the mysteries of solar astrophysics. VELC will facilitate studies on the temperature, velocity, and density of the corona, aiding our understanding of processes leading to corona heating, solar wind acceleration, space weather drivers, magnetic field analysis, as well as the cause of coronal mass ejections. Aditya-L1 is not the only mission aimed at exploring the Sun. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, part of the ‘Living with a Star’ program, is tracing energy and heat movement in the Sun’s corona and studying solar wind acceleration. The earlier Helios 2 Solar Probe ventured within 43 million km of the Sun’s surface in 1976. Solar Orbiter, a joint ESA-NASA mission, seeks to collect vital data on the Sun’s role in shaping the solar system’s space environment. Several other active spacecraft, including the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), WIND, Hinode, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), continue to monitor the Sun, contributing to our ever-growing knowledge of our star and its influence on our planet.

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