![\"ISRO\u2019s](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/ISROs-new-X-ray-eye-in-the-sky.webp?resize=666%2C375&ssl=1\")
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Source:<\/strong> This post on ISRO\u2019s XPoSat Mission has been created based on the article \u201cMeet ISRO\u2019s new X-ray eye in the sky\u201d<\/strong> published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d<\/strong> on 2nd January 2024.<\/p>\n UPSC Syllabus Topic: <\/strong>GS Paper 3 Science & Technology – Awareness in the fields of Space.<\/p>\n News:<\/strong> The article discusses the details of the recently launched XPoSat Mission by ISRO.<\/p>\n Black holes and neutron stars have remained a mystery. However, because of their immensely strong magnetic fields, these celestial bodies emit highly energetic X-ray light, which can be used to study their properties.<\/p>\n For this purpose, on January 1st, 2024, ISRO\u2019s PSLV put into orbit the XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) <\/strong>– the country\u2019s first space observatory to study the polarisation of cosmic X-rays.<\/p>\n This is the world\u2019s second space mission to study the polarisation of cosmic X-rays, after NASA\u2019s IXPE<\/strong>, launched in 2021. XPoSat operates in a frequency band different from NASA\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n Source: ISRO.<\/p>\n X-rays are electromagnetic waves. These are generated by movements of electric charges when the electric and magnetic fields in its vicinity are disturbed.<\/p>\n In electromagnetic waves like X-rays, the electric field oscillates or varies in strength and direction as the wave propagates. The direction and nature of this variation in the electric field depend on the motion of the electric charge responsible for generating the wave. Sometimes these variations acquire directionality (variations in a particular direction)<\/strong>, which is when these X-rays are described as being \u201cpolarised\u201d.<\/p>\n Stars mostly emit unpolarised light, however it is different in the case of stars with very large magnetic fields. Electrons in those objects spiral around the magnetic field lines and emit X-rays. The electrons\u2019 motion provides the X-rays with some directionality, making them polarised.<\/p>\n Measuring the polarisation of X-rays can enable astronomers to understand the nature of these polarised X-ray emitting-objects, such as pulsars<\/strong> or regions around blackholes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Note: Pulsar: <\/strong>A pulsar (or pulsating radio source) is a neutron star that rotates quickly and releases two polarised radio lights. The beams create a unique timing and polarisation signature as they burst across space. Pulsars are among the few celestial objects that emit circular polarised light.<\/p>\n With this venture, ISRO has signaled that it has the expertise and maturity to contribute to all aspects of planetary research.<\/p>\n Question for practice:<\/strong><\/p>\n India\u2019s X-ray mission XPoSat has scripted history with its successful launch. What are its various payloads? How will it help enhance our understanding of the universe?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Source: This post on ISRO\u2019s XPoSat Mission has been created based on the article \u201cMeet ISRO\u2019s new X-ray eye in the sky\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d on 2nd January 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Science & Technology – Awareness in the fields of Space. News: The article discusses the details of the recently… Continue reading On ISRO\u2019s XPoSat Mission – Meet ISRO\u2019s new X-ray eye in the sky<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230,9,1227],"tags":[216,8184,10500],"class_list":["post-275924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","category-public","category-science-and-technology","tag-gs-paper-3","tag-indian-economy","tag-indian-express","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":23,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1704230374},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=275924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/275924\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=275924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=275924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=275924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/svca.png?resize=508%2C381&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nWhat are X-rays?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are Polarised X-rays?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nFor instance, as the X-ray wave travels, if the electric charge responsible for producing the X-ray is in motion (such as an electron accelerating), it affects the way the electric field changes as the wave moves.<\/p>\nWhy is it difficult to study X-rays from space?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How will XPoSat Mission study X-rays?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nPOLIX\u2019s beryllium disc will let astronomers probe lower energy X-rays than what the NASA instrument is capable of.<\/li>\n