ISRO all set to launch first Sun mission

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO all set to launch first Sun mission”  published in PIB on 29th August 2023

What is the News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the Aditya-L1 mission, the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun, will be launched on September 2 from Sriharikota.

What is Aditya L1 Mission?

Source: Indian Express

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What are the objectives of Aditya L1 Mission?

Dynamics of the Solar Atmosphere: One of the primary goals of the mission is to study the dynamics of the solar atmosphere, including the chromosphere and corona. By observing these regions, scientists hope to gain insights into the processes involved in coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, and solar flares.

Understanding Coronal Heating: The Sun’s corona, with its temperature exceeding 1 million degrees Celsius, has long puzzled scientists. Aditya L1 aims to investigate the physics behind coronal heating, shedding light on the mechanisms responsible for this extreme temperature difference between the Sun’s lower and upper atmosphere.

Probing the Solar Wind: The solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun, plays a crucial role in space weather and impacts Earth’s environment. Aditya L1 will provide in-situ observations of the solar wind, contributing to our understanding of its composition, dynamics, and origin.

Exploring Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Coronal mass ejections are colossal eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona. Aditya L1 will investigate the initiation, evolution, and propagation of CMEs, enabling scientists to better predict and understand these powerful solar events.

Magnetic Field Measurements: The mission will focus on studying the magnetic field topology and variations in the solar corona. Accurate measurements of the magnetic field strength and structure are essential for understanding the Sun’s influence on space weather and Earth’s magnetosphere.

Solar Climate Connection: Aditya L1 will contribute to our knowledge of the Sun’s impact on Earth’s climate. By studying the Sun’s emissions and their effects on Earth’s atmosphere, scientists aim to unravel the connection between solar activity and climate variations.

What is the significance of the Aditya L1 Mission?

Advancing Solar Science: By studying the Sun’s atmosphere, Aditya L1 will contribute to significant advancements in solar physics and our understanding of stellar dynamics. This will help unravel long-standing mysteries surrounding the Sun’s behavior and its impact on space weather.

Enhancing Space Weather Forecasting: Solar activity, such as coronal mass ejections and solar flares, can have a profound impact on Earth’s technological infrastructure and space-based assets. 

– Aditya L1’s observations will enhance our ability to forecast and mitigate the effects of space weather events, safeguarding critical systems like satellites, communication networks, and power grids.

Investigating Climate Connections: The Sun’s emissions play a vital role in Earth’s climate dynamics. Aditya L1’s research into the connection between solar activity and climate variations will contribute to our understanding of long-term climate change and aid in refining climate models.

Indigenous Technological Advancements: The development and execution of the Aditya L1 mission demonstrate India’s growing expertise in space technology.