India's ISRO has successfully launched Aditya L1 on August 2. Positioned between the Earth and the Sun, this observatory will provide continuous and in-depth observations of the Sun. It will help scientists study the chromosphere, photosphere, corona, and other upper regions of the Sun, shedding light on processes like solar flares, solar winds, and coronal mass ejections.
Aditya L-1's mission encompasses:
- Examining the dynamics of the Sun's chromosphere and corona.
- Collecting data on coronal heating.
- Studying the physics of partially ionized plasma.
- Investigating the onset of coronal mass ejections.
- Conducting comprehensive research on solar flares.
This observatory will deepen our understanding of the Sun's atmosphere and its intricate processes, aiding the comprehension of events like solar emissions and their origins.
The Sun, a 4.5 billion-year-old star, primarily comprises helium and hydrogen gas. Its immense gravitational force contains these gases, generating energy akin to a massive nuclear plant. The Sun is classified as a G2 category star based on stellar types.
Understanding Aditya L1's mission requires knowledge of the Sun's structure:
- The core, constituting 25% of the Sun's radius, is at its center.
- The outer layer, the reactive zone, accounts for 30%.
- The middle portion, the radiative zone, makes up the remaining 45%.
- The visible part of the Sun's atmosphere is called the photosphere.
- The outermost layer, the corona, is millions of miles wide and the hottest part of the photosphere is the chromosphere.
Aditya L1 will scrutinize specific processes within the Sun's atmosphere, helping us comprehend why it exhibits such intense activity and how these phenomena take shape during the solar cycle.
Read more: Why is ISRO's Aditya-L1 solar mission not headed to the Sun? What is Lagrange Point 1, its destination?
