Why in the News?
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), in collaboration with NASA, have made the first spectroscopic observations of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) in the visible wavelength range, using the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) aboard Aditya-L1.
About Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC):
- Overview: The VELC is the primary scientific payload onboard Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory mission.
- Developer: Designed and built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST campus, Hosakote (Karnataka).
- Function: It is an internally occulted coronagraph capable of imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry of the solar corona, the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
- Objective: To study coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar wind acceleration, coronal temperature, plasma velocity, and magnetic field dynamics close to the solar limb.
- Capabilities:
- Observes the corona as close as 1.05 solar radii from the Sun’s surface.
- Equipped with a spectrograph, polarimeter, and detectors for high-resolution data.
- Enables continuous 24-hour solar observation from Lagrange Point L1.
- Significance: Provides first-ever spectroscopic data of CMEs near the Sun, enhancing understanding of space weather and solar activity.
- Key Findings:
- Electron Density: ~370 million electrons per cubic centimetre within the CME, several times higher than the ambient solar corona (10–100 million/cm³).
- Energy: ~9.4 × 10²¹ joules- nearly 100 trillion times the energy released by the Hiroshima bomb.
- Mass: ~270 million tonnes- about 180 times the mass of the iceberg that sank the Titanic.
Back2Basics: Aditya-L1 Mission
- Overview: India’s first space-based solar mission, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Launch & Position: Launched in 2023; placed at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, providing an uninterrupted view of the Sun.
- Purpose: To study the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona), solar radiation, magnetic storms, and space weather phenomena.
- Key Objectives:
- Understand the dynamics of solar corona and solar wind.
- Study solar flares, CMEs, and their impact on Earth’s magnetosphere.
- Monitor space weather to protect satellites and communication systems.
- Scientific Payloads (7 instruments):
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- VELC – Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (solar corona imaging).
- SUIT – Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope.
- SoLEXS – Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer.
- HEL1OS – High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer.
- ASPEX – Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment.
- PAPA – Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya.
- Magnetometer – Measures magnetic fields at L1.
- Significance:
- First Indian mission to continuously observe the Sun.
- Strengthens India’s position in global heliophysics research.
- Provides early warnings for geomagnetic storms affecting satellites and power grids.
| [UPSC 2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ?
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 3. Power grids could be damaged. 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only* (d) 2, 5 and 6 only |
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