Aditya-L1 Mission to be turning point in study of Sun’, says Astronomy Dept Head, Osmania University Hyderabad

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: After the successful placement of a lander on the moon’s uncharted South Pole region by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the launch of the country’s maiden solar mission Aditya-L1 is the next much-awaited endeavour.

Speaking to media on the Aditya L-1 Mission by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Head of Department Astronomy, Osmania University Shanti Priya said that India’s Aditya-L1 satellite (first space-based Indian observatory) mission will be a turning point in the study of the Sun.

“Sun is the most mysterious object we know. We are all dependent directly or indirectly on the Sun. Mission to Sun is the most challenging thing. India is now in the race of space missions, and this mission will be a turning point in the study of the Sun,” said Shanti Priya.

“With this mission we are expecting we would get more insights into the structure and energy of the Sun,” she said.

ISRO Chief S Somanath on August 26 said that the country’s maiden solar mission Aditya-L1 is ready and will be launched in the first week of September.

“Aditya L1 satellite is ready. It has reached Sriharikota and is connected to PSLV. The next aim of ISRO and the country is its launch. The launch will be in the first week of September. The date will be announced within two days,” ISRO chief said.

“After the launch, it will go to an elliptical orbit and from that it will travel to the L1 point which will almost take 120 days,” he added.

Aditya-L1 would be the first space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun.Aditya-L1, named after the Sun’s core, aims to provide unprecedented insights into the Sun’s behaviour by placing itself in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.

This strategic location will enable Aditya-L1 to continuously observe the Sun without being hindered by eclipses or occultation, allowing scientists to study solar activities and their impact on space weather in real time.

The spacecraft is equipped with seven advanced payloads designed to scrutinize various layers of the Sun, from the photosphere and chromosphere to the outermost layer, the corona.

One of the most exciting aspects of Aditya-L1’s mission is its ability to directly view the Sun from its unique vantage point at L1.

The combined observations promise to unlock the mysteries behind solar dynamics and their effects on the interplanetary medium.

The spacecraft’s data will help identify the sequence of processes that lead to solar eruptive events and contribute to a deeper understanding of space weather drivers.

ISRO Chairman shared an update on June 28 revealing that the organisation is targeting the end of August for Aditya-L1’s launch.