Aditya-L1 Captured "First Light of Sun"! ISRO Shares Details
India's Aditya-L1 spacecraft has successfully captured the first light of the sun, marking a significant milestone in its mission to study the solar corona.
ISRO's Aditya L-1 satellite, equipped with the HEL1OS (High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer), has achieved a significant milestone by capturing the first high-energy X-ray images of solar flares. The space agency recently shared this remarkable achievement on social media, highlighting the pioneering role of the HEL1OS spectrometer.
During its initial observation period commencing around October 29, HEL1OS recorded the impulsive phase of solar flares, providing invaluable insights into these intense solar events. Solar flares are characterized by sudden and intense brightenings in the solar atmosphere, releasing energy across various electromagnetic wavelengths, including radio, optical, UV, soft X-rays, hard X-rays, and gamma-rays.
The challenge in understanding solar flares lies in characterizing the initial impulsive emission, particularly in hard X-rays, due to its multiple spectral components and high time variability. HEL1OS addresses these challenges by employing a set of detectors optimized for different energy ranges, allowing for high spectral and time-resolution measurements.
According to ISRO, HEL1OS data enables researchers to study explosive energy release and electron acceleration during impulsive phases of solar flares.
HEL1OS became operational on October 27, 2023, and is presently undergoing fine-tuning and calibration operations. It is designed to monitor the Sun's high-energy X-ray activity with precision timing and high-resolution spectral capabilities.
Developed by the Space Astronomy Group of the U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO, Bengaluru, HEL1OS is a testament to India's capability in space technology.
Aditya-L1 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) November 7, 2023
HEL1OS captures first High-Energy X-ray glimpse of Solar Flares
🔸During its first observation period from approximately 12:00 to 22:00 UT on October 29, 2023, the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) on board Aditya-L1 has recorded the… pic.twitter.com/X6R9zhdwM5
The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, in which HEL1OS is deployed, is a dedicated Indian space mission aimed at studying the Sun from an orbit around the L1 point, situated approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. It provides remote observations of the solar corona and solar wind, making it the first Indian space mission focused on solar observations.
Aditya-L1 features seven distinct payloads designed to observe various layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer, the corona, in different wavebands.
The mission represents a collaborative effort involving national institutions and marks a significant step in India's space exploration endeavors.
An ISRO scientist commented on the successful capture of the first high-energy X-ray glimpse of solar flares, affirming that it signifies the mission's progress in line with expectations.