UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice Booklet: Pragati Notebooks – Spiral and Detachable sheets Click Here to know more and order
News: India’s first space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, has made a ground breaking observation by capturing the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere.
About Aditya-L1 mission
- It is India’s first space-based solar observatory designed to study the Sun’s corona, solar emissions, solar winds, and flares.
- It was launched on September 2, 2023, using the PSLV rocket from Sriharikota.
- The mission is led by ISRO in collaboration with IIA (Bengaluru), IUCAA (Pune), and IISER (Kolkata).
- Aditya L1 is positioned at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, 1.5 million km from Earth.
- Lagrange points are special positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large orbiting bodies, such as the Sun and the Earth, balance each other out.
Significance of Aditya L1
- Understanding Sun-Earth Interactions – Helps study solar weather impacts on Earth.
- Tracking Solar Storms – Crucial for protecting satellites, communication, and power grids.
- Solving the Coronal Heating Problem – Explores why the Sun’s outer corona is hotter than its surface.
- First UV Imaging of the Sun – Observes ultraviolet radiation (200-400 nm) not visible from Earth.
- Enhancing Space Security – Predicts solar activity that may affect satellite functions.
Other Solar Missions
- Hinotori (ASTRO-A): Launched by Japan in the 1980s.
- Parker Solar Probe: Launched by the U.S. in 2018, becoming the first spacecraft to “touch” the Sun.
- Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO): A joint NASA-ESA mission, recognized as the longest-operating Sun-observing satellite.
Discover more from Free UPSC IAS Preparation Syllabus and Materials For Aspirants
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
