Aditya's trip to expose Sun God!

Prepare for an extraordinary cosmic tale as the valiant Aditya l1, readies itself for a celestial odyssey to meet its OG, the mighty Sun. This mission isn't just about a mere space journey; it's a grand adventure to unlock the Sun's most enigmatic secrets. 

 Aditya l1 is a daring explorer, named after the Sanskrit term for "Sun God" and the "Son of Aditi". As we launch Aditya l1, it's like sending this intrepid cosmic hero on a quest to uncover the Sun's hidden mysteries.

PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission Image @isro

On the launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India, Aditya l1, our celestial voyager, stands tall, ready to embark on this historic journey. The PSLV-C57 rocket is its trusty horse, propelling Aditya l1 toward the Sun's radiant territory. This 44.4 metre tall rocket isn't just a vehicle; it is Aditya l1’s cosmic chariot, carrying it toward the heavens. After the rousing lift-off at 11:50 am on September 2nd, Aditya l1 begins its incredible 125-day voyage. Aditya l1 is a fearless explorer traversing an awe-inspiring 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, setting its course straight for the blazing heart of the Sun.

 
We know that the spiritual superstar, the Sun, resides a staggering 1500 Lakhs kilometres away from our home planet. Yet Aditya l1 isn't content with just gazing from afar. It's aiming for something even more extraordinary—a place called Lagrange Point 1 (L1), a cosmic crossroads where gravitational forces create a delicate cosmic dance between the Sun and Earth.

Joseph-Louis Lagrange (1736 - 1813)

As Aditya l1 approaches Lagrange Point 1 (L1), it's like our solo traveller finds a new home, a haven where it can orbit around an "invisible planet" every day for years to come. But here's the cosmic catch – L1 isn't your typical stable orbit. It's like a tightrope, and our brave Aditya l1, must perform intricate manoeuvres about once a month to maintain its celestial balance.

 

NASA's Parker Solar Probe launches from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., August 12, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Brown

Data generated from our solar probe will require rigorous testing and data management. Data collected by the spacecraft will be downloaded at the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN), Karnataka. This marks ISRO's inaugural foray into the realm of Sun exploration from such close quarters. With a toolkit of seven temperature-sensitive instruments, Aditya l1 is an investigator. Investigating the Sun God himself.  

It'll be like our valiant explorer donning a detective's hat, peering into the Sun's outer layers – the chromosphere and the corona – and unravelling the solar winds' origin, composition, and outbursts. In essence, Aditya l1 aims to witness high-energy solar spectacles in real-time and understand how they might affect us, Earthlings.

 

 

PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission Image @isro

             But that's not all! Aditya l1 will be sending back tales of cosmic drama, from hard X-rays to infrared radiations, and closely monitoring solar wind particles and magnetic fields. These tales will play a central role in predicting Earth's weather patterns, like clues in an interstellar mystery.

With observations beaming back to the Indian Deep Space Network in Karnataka, all these captivating stories and data will be carefully collected and managed. The Aditya mission has been a grand vision since its inception in 2008. Nearly 300 scientists from ISRO and IIA have toiled tirelessly, crafting instruments to enhance Aditya l1’s celestial senses.

 

The sun as seen by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft in extreme ultraviolet light,  photo taken by the high resolution telescope of the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) instrument.

As we count down to Aditya l1's launch, this mission stands poised to leave an indelible mark on India's cosmic legacy. It's not just about scientific inquiry; it's about a cosmic adventure to unveil the Sun's hidden tales and enrich our understanding of the universe. Aditya l1 is ready to join the ranks of other extra-terrestrial explorers, like  the Parker Solar Probe, the Solar Orbiter and the SOHO on a quest to unlock the captivating enigmas of our fiery celestial ancestor, the Sun.

Understanding our Sun God's activities is paramount because they significantly influence Earth's climate and weather patterns through the realm of space weather. The Sun God's dynamic personality, including high-behavior, solar flares and solar winds, holds the potential to disrupt our planet's protective magnetic shield, resulting in adverse weather phenomena like intense rainfall or prolonged droughts.  

 

I am betting on Aditya l1's success, what about you?