India’s pioneering Sun mission, Aditya-L1, has soared to new heights with its successful launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Research Centre. Equipped with seven cutting-edge payloads, the star of the mission is the Visible Line Emission Coronagraph (VELC). This primary payload promises to unlock the mysteries of the Sun’s Corona, positioned at Lagrangian Point 1 (L1), 1.5 million kilometers from Earth in the Sun’s direction.
Unveiling the Total Solar Eclipse:
VELC, meticulously developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bangalore, is designed to create a perpetual “total solar eclipse” experience at L1. This unique perspective provides an uninterrupted view of the Sun, enabling continuous observation of the innermost part of the Corona.
Decoding the Solar Corona:
VELC’s mission is to decipher why the solar corona’s temperature soars to a million degrees while the Sun’s surface hovers at just over 6000 degrees Celsius. It achieves this by gazing at the corona, starting from its lower boundary and progressing upward, expertly filtering out the Sun’s dazzling disc.
A Torrent of Data:
Once in its intended orbit, VELC will relay a staggering 1,440 images daily to ground stations for analysis. What sets VELC apart is its capability to capture close-up images of the solar corona, venturing closer to the Sun’s disc than any other solar space observatory.
Eclipsing the Sun:
VELC employs a clever mechanism to block out the solar disc, permitting it to observe the Sun as if in a perpetual solar eclipse. This ingenious approach allows for a comprehensive study of the corona’s origins and the sources of coronal mass ejections.
The Scientific Journey:
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) plays a pivotal role in calibrating and harnessing data from VELC and other Aditya-L1 payloads. Their mission extends to addressing fundamental inquiries about solar astrophysics and its influence on our daily lives.
Precision Matters:
VELC’s capability to capture intricate solar corona images is attributed to its flawlessly polished primary mirror, crafted with precision by ISRO’s Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (LEOS). This precision minimizes light scatter within VELC, enhancing the quality of its observations.
Stay tuned as VELC embarks on its mission to illuminate the enigmatic secrets of the Sun’s Corona, unveiling a world of solar wonders like never before!
