Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reached a groundbreaking milestone in solar research as the Aditya-L1 mission successfully captured its inaugural high-energy solar flare.
The High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) has marked a historic achievement by recording the impulsive phase of a solar flare during its maiden observation on October 29, 2023.
Solar flares, those sudden and intense bursts of energy and radiation originating from the Sun's surface and outer atmosphere, predominantly in the form of X-rays and ultraviolet light, find their origins in the release of magnetic energy stored in the Sun's atmosphere.
Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on September 2, 2023, the Aditya-L1 mission is committed to achieving a comprehensive understanding of the Sun's dynamics and its far-reaching influence on Earth's climate.
Developed by the Space Astronomy Group at ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, the HEL1OS instrument is meticulously engineered to closely monitor high-energy X-ray activity emitted by the Sun.
During its inaugural observation phase, spanning roughly ten hours, HEL1OS captured data that aligns with the X-ray light curves provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (NOAA's GOES).
The Aditya-L1 mission epitomizes India's burgeoning capabilities in space research, standing as the nation's inaugural solar observatory-class mission, proudly showcasing all seven payloads developed indigenously.
The mission serves as a testament to ISRO's cooperative endeavours, seamlessly weaving together various Indian academic institutes, and in the process, deepening our understanding of the Sun and its intricate interplay with Earth.
HEL1OS, commissioned on October 27, 2023, is currently undergoing meticulous fine-tuning of thresholds and calibration operations to gear up for full-scale operations.
As Aditya-L1 proceeds on its journey, the global scientific community eagerly awaits further revelations from HEL1OS and the entire suite of payloads onboard. These forthcoming insights will not only enrich our comprehension of the Sun but also contribute significantly to the prediction of geomagnetic storms and the advancement of space travel and satellite operations, ensuring enhanced safety and operational efficiency.