ISRO RELEASES IMAGES OF SUN CAPTURED BY ADITYA-L1

TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released captivating images of the Sun captured by the Aditya-L1 mission during a significant May solar storm.

EXPLANATION:

  • These images are set to enhance our understanding of various solar phenomena and their impact on space weather.
  • Between May 8 and 15, the Sun experienced several intense solar flares, classified as X-class and M-class, erupting from the active region AR13664.
  • These flares were associated with significant CMEs observed during May 8 and 9.
  • During this period, two key remote sensing instruments on Aditya-L1, the Solar Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) and the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), were in baking and calibration modes, respectively, and could not observe the events on May 10-11.
  • However, both instruments resumed their observational duties by May 14.

Captured Images and Their Significance

  • SUIT Payload Observations
  • On June 10, ISRO released six images of the Sun taken by the SUIT payload at different wavelengths, acquired on May 17.
  • These images are crucial for multiple areas of solar research:
    • Studying Solar Flares: Detailed observations of solar flares help understand their mechanisms and energy release processes.
    • Energy Distribution: Analysis of the images provides insights into the distribution of energy across different solar regions.
    • Sunspots: Observing sunspots helps predict solar activity and its potential impact on space weather.
    • Space Weather Prediction: The data aids in forecasting space weather conditions that can affect satellite operations and communications on Earth.
    • Monitoring UV Radiation: By covering a wide wavelength range, the observations help monitor the UV radiation emitted by the Sun.
    • Long-term Solar Variations: The images contribute to the study of long-term changes in solar activity.
  • VELC Payload Observations
  • The VELC payload made significant observations using one of its spectroscopic channels for the emission line at 5303 Angstroms.
  • Raster scans of the solar corona were performed on May 14 to capture coronal activities in this spectral line.

Images captured by SUIT and VELC instruments (Aditya-L1 mission) shows dynamic activities of the Sun during May 2024

 Additional Observations

  • Apart from SUIT and VELC, other instruments on Aditya-L1 also captured the solar storm events:
    • SoLEXS and HEL1OS: These remote sensing payloads recorded the events between May 8 and 9.
    • ASPEX and MAG: These in-situ payloads captured data on May 10 and 11 during the mission’s passage through the Sun-Earth L1 point (L1).
  • ISRO’s observations were complemented by data from other missions and ground-based facilities:
    • Chandrayaan-2 Spacecraft
    • XPoSat
    • Udaipur Solar Observatory-Physical Research Laboratory

Aditya-L1 mission

  • Aditya-L1 is a coronagraphy spacecraft designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to study the solar atmosphere.
  • It is India’s first dedicated solar mission.
  • The spacecraft will be orbiting at about 1.5 million km from Earth in a halo orbit around the L1 Lagrange point between the Earth and the Sun.
  • It is studying the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona, to understand its structure, dynamics, and the mechanisms behind its heating to millions of degrees.
  • It is investigating the impact of solar activities on the Earth’s climate, weather, and space environment, including potential disruptions to communication and navigation systems.
  • They are collecting data on solar storms, solar flares, and other solar phenomena that can affect space weather and terrestrial technologies.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-releases-images-of-sun-captured-by-aditya-l1-during-may-solar-storm/article68273124.ece

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