Relevance: GS Paper III – Science & Technology (Space Science, Solar Research); Source: The Hindu, ISRO, IIA

India’s Aditya-L1 mission, equipped with the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), has made the first-ever spectroscopic observations of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) close to the Sun’s surface.     

         Conducted by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in collaboration with NASA, this marks a major step in studying solar activity and space weather.

Key Observations & Findings

About Aditya-L1

Lagrange Points: are specific positions in space where the gravitational pull of two celestial bodies (like the Earth and the Sun) and the orbital motion of a satellite balance each other.

• L1 Point, used by Aditya-L1, provides a continuous and unobstructed view of the Sun, making it ideal for solar monitoring and early space weather warnings.
  

Significance

• Enhances space weather prediction capabilities.
  
• Advances research on coronal heating and solar magnetism.
  
• Positions India among leading nations in heliophysics and solar observation.
  
• Contributes to safer satellite operations and communication resilience.
  

One-line Wrap: Aditya-L1’s observations from the L1 point mark a milestone in India’s solar research, strengthening global understanding of solar eruptions and their impact on space weather.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

With reference to the Aditya-L1 mission, consider the following statements:

1. It is India’s first solar mission placed at the L1 point between Earth and the Sun.
   
2. The VELC payload is designed to study coronal mass ejections and solar flares.
   
3. Lagrange points are stable positions where gravitational and centrifugal forces balance each other.
   

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)