Just a week after the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole of the Moon on August 5, 2023, ISRO launched a mission to study the Sun. Today it has reached its target, from where it will study the Sun.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today expressed joy as India’s first solar observatory Aditya-L1 reached its destination.
Calling the feat a testament to the dedication of our scientists, he said we will continue to pursue new frontiers of science for the benefit of humanity.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
"India creates yet another landmark. India's first solar observatory Aditya-L1 reaches its destination. It is a testament to the relentless dedication of our scientists in realizing among the most complex and intricate space missions. I join the nation in applauding this extraordinary feat. We will continue to pursue new frontiers of science for the benefit of humanity."
Observatory will be established in space
This is India's first Sun mission and through it an observatory will be established in space which will monitor this closest star to the Earth and study the features of space weather like solar wind.
However, this is not the first mission to study the Sun. Earlier, NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) have also sent Sun missions for the same purpose.
This spacecraft left space from Sriharikota on Saturday, September 2 at 11.50 am Indian time.
Sriharikota is the main satellite launch center of the country and is located 100 kilometers north of Chennai.
This spacecraft will not actually go near the Sun. The distance where Aditya L1 has reaced is 15 lakh kilometers from the Earth. The distance from Earth to the Sun is 151 million kilometers.
The Lagrange point is colloquially known as L1. There are five such points between the Earth and the Sun, where the gravitational force of the Sun and the Earth is balanced.
If an object is placed at this point, it easily starts revolving around that point. The first Lagrange point is at a distance of 15 lakh kilometers between the Earth and the Sun. There is no effect of eclipse on this point.
Why is study of Sun important?
The Sun is the center of the solar system in which our Earth exists. All eight planets revolve around the Sun. There is life on Earth only because of the Sun. Energy flows continuously from the Sun. We call these charged particles. By studying the Sun, it can be understood how changes in the Sun can affect space and life on Earth.
Former ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said that 'This mission will help us in studying the surface of the Sun. This will also help us in estimating severe solar winds."
Sun releases energy in two ways
The Sun also produces an explosion of magnetic particles, which can damage electronic items. This is called solar flare. When this flare reaches the Earth, the Earth's magnetic field protects us from it. If it collides with the satellites present in space, they will get damaged and communication systems on Earth and other things will come to a standstill.
The largest solar flare hit Earth in 1859. This is called the Carrington Event. Then telegraph communication was affected. That's why ISRO wants to understand the Sun. If scientists have more understanding of solar flare, then steps can be taken to deal with it.
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